A Social Infrastructure for Hometown Security - Essay Example

A Social Infrastructure for Hometown Security Introduction In the wake of increased threats of terrorism in the United States, the government has significantly enhanced its capabilities in preventing terrorism and facilitating recovery in an event terrorist attack occurs (U.S. Department of Homeland Security). Establishment of the Department of Homeland Security 10 years ago was a major milestone in achieving this end. From the speech titled “The Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano’s 2nd Annual Address on the State of America’s Homeland Security: Homeland Security and Economic Security”, this paper will focus on a particular topic to address. The topic is Hometown Security. In the speech, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano noted that, indeed, the Department has been instrumental in leading the war against terrorism in the United States. She noted that this was evidenced by its critical role in protecting America’s sea, air, and land borders, as well as the cyberspace (U.S. Department of Homeland Security para4). She further noted that the Department has reiterated on several occasions that homeland security starts with hometown security. There is a consensus among policy makers and government officials that the nation’s homeland security calls on individuals, businesses, local governments, communities, as well as local, state and federal governments across the country to work harmoniously towards achieving a shared vision of a secured society. While this factor is acknowledged, the American public seem to have largely missing in action and left out from the affairs of homeland security (Bach and Kaufman para1). Homeland security objectives may not fully be realized both in the short and long run if hometown security is not emphasized on. It is important that hometown security that is community-oriented be given utmost consideration. Hometown security programs and initiatives should be designed in such a way that it engages local community in decision-making and planning, as well as building institutional partnerships that promote and embrace those new relationships. The national strategy for Homeland Security should continuously seek the support of the American public starting from the local level. This is because once the hometown security is guaranteed then homeland security will be guaranteed (Bach and Kaufman para21&22). The efforts of the Department of Homeland Security are guided by a powerful idea that homeland security starts with hometown security (U.S. Department of Homeland Security para1). This idea is informed by the fact that the whole society is safer when local law enforcement works together with the citizens and communities they serve, as well as their partners in the private sector and the Federal government, in protecting the whole American society against the threats they face particularly from the terrorists. It is for this reason that emphasis is placed on strengthening hometown security. The efforts made towards this end include dialoguing with the public regarding the risks that they face and the actions that they are required to take at any given situation. The second effort that has been made towards strengthening hometown security is including the local communities as joint decision-makers in security issues. There is need for renewed collaboration between the state governors and the federal government. In addition, it is important to enhance local people participation on issues such as setting priorities and making them to be the real partners in making decisions that are security-related (Bach and Kaufman para22&24). Moreover, hometown security will be strengthened and realized through bolstering of the FEMA regions as intermedriaes between the local, tribal, state and federal governments. It has been noted that there is a clear weakness that result from the federal government-led homeland security strategy to capitalize and appreciate on local law enforcement agencies in supporting the mission of the homeland security (Bach and Kaufman para27). However, it should be noted that many states appreciate the importance of hometown security as a precursor for homeland security. For example, the Tennessee state has implemented a number of strategies that are aimed at strengthening hometown security and in the process strengthening the homeland security. The state of Tennessee is divided into 11 Homeland Security Districts that provide coordinated, organized multi-county teams that maximize efforts aimed at preventing, protecting against, as well as responding to natural or manmade incidents (U.S. Department of Safety & Homeland Security para2). Such an organization is present in other states as well and is critical in allowing for wise use of limited resources of personnel, time, equipment, and funds by building mutually interoperable and supporting programs across the state. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, has on numerous occasions emphasized the need for hometown security as a beginning of homeland security. In 2011, she launched a campaign that was intended to expand the local campaign in the Washington area in the war against terrorism. She announced a series of initiatives that were aimed at supporting the community groups and local and state law enforcement groups across the country in identifying and helps to mitigate threats to the expanded DHS and particularly their communities (U.S. Department of Homeland Security para1). The campaign was an annual anticrime campaign that involved neighborhood groups, police and citizens. Napolitano further stated that since homeland security starts with hometown security, Americans’ efforts of confronting threats are most effective when they are led by law enforcement officers at local level and involve strong collaboration with citizens and communities that they serve (U.S. Department of Homeland Security para2). An effective approach to hometown and homeland security lies on the actions of local individuals. When the efforts of local individuals are integrated with those of the law enforcement agencies and intelligence, the outcome will tremendous (Bates para4). Conclusion Evidently, the topic of hometown security is emphasized in many speeches of the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. From her various speeches, it can be gathered that she believes that efforts of local people, law enforcement agencies and intelligence is very instrumental in realizing homeland security. It is because of this reason that she has been on the forefront of initiating programs and initiatives that are aimed at strengthening hometown security. Works Cited Bach, Robert and Kaufman David. A Social Infrastructure for Hometown Security: Advancing the Homeland Security Paradigm. 2009. Web. 24 Feb, 2013. < http://www.hsaj.org/?fullarticle=5.2.2> Bates, Scott. Homeland and Hometown Security. 2011. Web. 24 Feb, 2013. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Starts with Hometown Security. 2010. Web. 24 Feb, 2013. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano's 2nd Annual Address on the State of America's Homeland Security: Homeland Security and Economic Security. 2012. Web. 24 Feb, 2013. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Napolitano Announces New Community-Based Law Enforcement Initiatives in Conjunction with National Night Out. 2010. Web. 24 Feb, 2013. < http://www.dhs.gov/news/2010/08/03/secretary-napolitano-announces-new-community-based-law-enforcement-initiatives> U.S. Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Homeland Security: Tennessee. 2013. Web. 24 Feb, 2012. Read More