The Emergency Warning Act is not designed to protect us from the guys with the boxcutters. It is a recognition that, in the event of various kinds of disasters, including attacks, our existing emergency warning system - consisting of a siren and a television test pattern - is woefully inadequate. Edwards' plan helps us use our advancing technologies as part of the warning system. This isn't about frightening people. It's a simple and logical measure.
Moreover, his Neighborhood Security Act isn't a TIPS program or anything close. Edwards recognizes that with all of his big talk, Bush has not asked or encouraged citizens to sacrifice or participate in homeland security, choosing inteade to tell us - don't worry, we'll protect you. Just turn over all of your rights and liberties, and we'll handle everything.
The Neighborhood Security Act provides a way for neighborhoods to work together to increase security - it does NOT mean informing on friends and neighbors:
NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY ACT
PROPOSED BY SENATOR EDWARDS
February 6, 2003
WASHINGTON–Senator John Edwards on Thursday introduced legislation to help people in neighborhoods across America contribute to homeland security.
Building on the success of the national neighborhood watch program, the legislation is designed to get people involved and improve communications between the volunteer safety organizations and local, state and federal officials responsible for homeland security.
"In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, I have heard from people from all walks of life who want to join the homeland security effort, Senator Edwards said. "So many Americans want to contribute, but they feel like they haven't been asked. We should ask."
The Neighborhood Security Act of 2003 would provide resources to help existing Neighborhood Watch groups, which the National Sheriffs' Association created in 1972 with help from the federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. Together with community policing and better crime fighting technology, neighborhood watches have been credited with helping the bring down crime rates in the 1990s.
The bill would encourage the creation of 50,000 new volunteer groups by 2007, more than triple the 15,000 units that exist now. The measure also would improve methods for distributing information about homeland security, and help educate citizens on how to prevent potential terrorist attacks and respond if another attack occurs.
The legislation was drafted in consultation with law enforcement and veterans organizations.
It would fund efforts by those groups to work with federal agencies and local law enforcement to establish voluntary guidelines for the watch groups, such as what to do in the event of an attack with weapons of mass destruction.
The idea for better coordination with local volunteer efforts was first mentioned to Senator Edwards by leaders of the Pinehurst Neighborhood Watch, in Moore County, N.C., where the senator was raised.
The Neighborhood Security Act is the fifth homeland security bill that Senator Edwards has introduced in the five weeks the Senate has been in session this year. The others would improve emergency warning systems, make government computer systems less vulnerable to attack, strengthen potential terrorist targets, and give first responders access to counter-terrorism intelligence. Senator Edwards on December 18 laid out these and other reform proposals in a homeland security speech at the Brookings Institution.
http://edwards.senate.gov/~edwards/press/2003/0206-pr.html
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