By Liz McBreen
The cabinet-level office was designed to coordinate and enhance efforts against terrorism in New York state. The office's most important goal is to create a strategy to detect, protect against and respond to acts of violence by terrorists.
"No other state is doing more in counterterrorism since September 11," said Tabert as he spoke to the chamber at Shackleton's Restaurant. He explained that when the office was created, the order the members were given was to create strategies that would be used to stop acts of terrorism in New York state. "This is our mission," he said, "and 'Prevent Terrorism' is our mantra."
According to Tabert, the Office of Public Security has divided the state into 16 counterterrorism zones and created a terrorism network through which they can share intelligence and information with police agencies, as well as the state and federal governments. Tabert's office shares resources with the Division of State Police, the Department of Health, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Department of Transportation and some 20 other agencies. The office also answers directly to the Office of Homeland Security, led by Tom Ridge.
The office is also responsible for training various agencies to detect possible threats, and preventing terrorists from carrying out their plots. Tabert and his colleagues keep in constant contact not only with local agencies but with those overseas. "Our first priority is to collect and disseminate information at all levels," Tabert said. "We are crossing traditional lines of law enforcement and building bridges between islands of information."
Tabert said that the office is also working on reforming the strategies and response to possible threats at New York ports. "This is a major concern for us," he said. "We are currently working with the Port Authority, the Coast Guard and Customs to ensure that nothing dangerous comes near our coasts." He went on to explain his office's desire to give police agencies authority beyond the state's borders. "If a ship gets into the area with a nuclear substance on it, it is already too late," he said. "We have to consider the security of the entire commerce chain so that we know a ship is not a danger when it enters our seaports."
Other goals of the Office of Public Security are to tighten the Canadian border without discouraging trade, and to restore confidence in air travel.
Tabert also explained that his office has stopped numerous financial transactions that have possible links to terrorists. Shortly after Sept. 11, President Bush froze the assets of organizations that were suspected of aiding terrorist cells. Since then, 30 million transactions have been under surveillance, and 11,000 were stopped because they were deemed suspicious. "Because we can track these transactions," Tabert said, "our agency has been very fruitful in slowing terrorism."
Tabert discussed the widespread threat that could face the country in the wake of war. Members of Al Qaeda, Iraqi citizens or people of any nationality with sympathy for Iraq may try to attack Americans in retaliation. "Their ideal targets are ones that will create the most casualties, symbolize freedom and an American way of life, and the economy," said Tabert. It was for these reasons, he said, that the World Trade Center made a perfect target for Al Qaeda.
"This creates many areas that have to be protected," Tabert said. "For this reason, the visibility of police and security will go up considerably." Tabert explained that random patrols would be put into effect. "These checks will not necessarily be in response to a specific threat," he said. "Terrorists want to be sure that they will be successful. If random and continuos checks are made, they will be less likely to attempt anything."
Tabert also spoke about the tri-state alliance that went into effect just a few hours after the war began. As of last Thursday, Pataki, Governor Jim McGreevey of New Jersey and Governor John Roland of Connecticut agreed to allow police officers from the three states to ride Path, Metro North and the New Jersey Transit lines into neighboring states and operate with full authority. "This agreement is one of unprecedented cooperation," Tabert said. "Nothing like this has ever been done in New York." He said that the agreement would be in effect as long as it is deemed necessary.
Tabert urged residents to remain vigilant, and to contact authorities if they suspect any terrorist activities. He gave two phone numbers: 1-866-Safe NYS, which can be called from anywhere in the state, and 1-888-NYC Safe, which is for the New York City area.
