State: Security isn't cheap, say law officers

Security isn't cheap, say law officers

Terrorism response and prevention are costly, say leading officers, and most are just beginning.

By GRAHAM BRINK, Times Staff Writer

Terrorism response and prevention are costly, say leading officers, and most are just beginning.

TAMPA -- Law enforcement officials told a group of state legislators Thursday that they have made strides in preventing terrorism in responding to attacks.

The work is far from finished and will, in all likelihood, continue for years, they said. They warned that the cost of new training, coordinating agencies and testing and implementing new equipment will be great.

"I think that we have the human resources but the funding is the issue," said Tampa police Chief Bennie Holder. "Money is the bottom line."

The legislators from the state House and Senate came to the University of South Florida to discuss security issues and antiterrorism initiatives.

Holder said that his department has spent about $1-million since Sept. 11 on unbudgeted expenses. The money went to such things as buying gas masks for 900 officers and overtime to officers in the bomb squad, which usually is a part-time unit but has been working full time since Sept. 11.

Hillsborough Sheriff Cal Henderson and Florida Department of Law Enforcement regional director Jim Sewell both said that they have made inroads in building better communication between local agencies. Sewell pointed out that before Sept. 11, local and state law enforcement agencies had little direct coordination with emergency workers such as fire and rescue crews when it came to bombings or the release of chemical and biological weapons.

"We have a monumental task in front of us," Sewell said. "We recognize that we have to be in this together."

They also said the cooperation with the FBI has been good. But like local agencies across the country, they have problems accessing some information because the FBI cannot legally distribute it to people who do not have top-secret clearance.

Henderson said he and others are acquiring this clearance so that information will flow more freely.

The legislators asked several questions about face-recognition computer systems and how privacy issues must be weighed against the need to capture criminals.

Joseph Atick, president and chief executive officer of Visionics Corp., which set up the system in use in Ybor City, said a Florida airport will soon deploy the face recognition technology. He did not identify the airport.

Atick assured the legislators that the technology can help deter crime without compromising citizens' rights. He said airports, stadiums and densely-populated areas such as Ybor City are ideal locations for the systems.

"Terror is not faceless," Atick said. "This is simply a criminal alarm system that alerts police to the presence of criminals."

-- Contact Graham Brink at (813) 226-3365 or brink@sptimes.com.