APRI Highlights - Winter 2003

Homeland Security: A New Priority for APRI

George E. Ross, Director, Grant Management

In May 2002, the National District Attorneys Association convened its Capital Conference in Alexandria, VA with the theme, Homeland Security. Elected prosecutors from across the nation attended presentations by Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, and Deputy Attorney General Larry G. Thompson.

In September 2002, NDAA conducted its fall conference entitled The Prosecutor’s Role in the War on Terrorism at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC. The welcoming address was aptly titled, What a Difference a Year Makes.

The lives of all Americans have certainly changed over the past year. Prosecutors, in particular, are now attuned to how terrorist threats impact our nation and how prosecutors now must address new challenges in protecting our country and its citizens.

APRI continues its efforts to identify priority homeland security issues and topics for future prosecutor training and assistance. APRI has met with federal government officials to discuss the critical roles of prosecutors as first responders to emergencies and to convey the need for specialized training for prosecutors. APRI has proposed the development of a guide and a videotape to describe local prosecutors’ contributions to national homeland security challenges.

APRI is exploring funding opportunities to survey local prosecutors. The survey would systematically assess prosecutor training and technical assistance needs. A survey could be used to identify promising strategies for local prosecutors and decision makers. According to a recent press report, the federal government is making available to states more than $5 billion annually for security initiatives. As leaders in local safety, greater prosecutor participation is needed.

The “First Responder Terrorism Preparedness Act” (S.2664) was introduced last summer to provide additional resources and better coordination. The bill would provide $3.5 billion for a new grant program administered by FEMA. The funds, which could be used for training, would go through the states, with at least 75% going to local governments. The bill also calls for a new Office of National Preparedness within FEMA.

Congress will certainly act to enhance homeland security in many ways. Likewise state and local governments are changing the way they do business in response to new security needs. Working closely with NDAA, APRI hopes that the ideas and needs of the prosecution community will translate into quality trainings and meaningful assistance. Should you have information and ideas for proposing and planning future homeland security trainings, we hope that you will contact APRI. I can be reached by phone at (703) 518-4387, or by e-mail at george.ross@ndaa-apri.org.