Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano released a statement today regarding President Obama's gun control proposals:
I am proud to support the President and Vice President’s effort to combat gun violence in our country. In the aftermath of the tragic Newtown shooting, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), together with the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the FBI have worked to identify measures that could be taken to reduce the risk of mass casualty shootings.
In the coming days, DHS will expand and formalize coordination of ongoing efforts intended to prevent future mass casualty shootings, improve preparedness, and to strengthen security and resilience in schools and other potential targets. DHS will work with partners at all levels of government, to address five critical areas intended to reduce the risk of mass casualty shootings in the United States: Prevention, Protection, Response, Education, and Research/Evaluation.
DHS will also work with law enforcement to refresh, expand and prioritize the implementation of nationwide public awareness efforts such as the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign. This is a critical issue that requires immediate attention and I look forward to supporting the President and this Administration as we move ahead.
Twenty states, including Tennessee, already participate in the department's "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign — as do corporations such as Walmart. Tennessee joined the program in 2010.
On Sep. 1, 2010, DHS announced "the federal government’s collaboration with Southern Shield—a consortium of state homeland security and law enforcement officials from 14 Southeastern states and territories—as part of the national Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) initiative, as well as the expansion of the 'If You See Something, Say Something' campaign to fusion centers across the Southeast."
According to the Nationwide SAR Initiative's website, part of the training "discusses how to report identified suspicious activity to the proper authorities while maintaining the protection of citizens' privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties." Users can take a short, online quiz and receive instant certification on Suspicious Activity Reporting from the Justice Department.
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