Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
The Homeland Security Meth/Heroin Racket
Voting is highly emphasized in American culture. Asking questions related to public policy takes a lower priority.
Are newspeople forbidden to ask questions related to Homeland Security funding and performance?
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin/meth trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
“…the methamphetamine being produced is top-of-the-line product from Mexico, arriving in Jamestown through the U.S. Postal Service.”
Rail Shipment
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel from moving meth by rail into Canada:
“Ontario Provincial Police said they found 180 kilograms of meth during their investigation, which began when employees at four different Ford dealerships reported suspicious bags inside tires that were in the trunks of new Fusion cars.”
“Every day 4,500 trucks pass, necessarily with usually minimal inspection, through three legal entry points along the U.S.-Mexico border. Any wall would be irrelevant to interrupting drug shipments.”
“…DEA wrote, adding that a “majority of the flow” happens at ports of entry. Those legal crossings would obviously still happen even if a wall spanned the entire border.”
US Troops at the border, El Chapo takedown, opioid lawsuits, REAL ID, Homeland Security grant money, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep cartel from moving meth by rail into Canada:
“Ontario Provincial Police said they found 180 kilograms of meth during their investigation, which began when employees at four different Ford dealerships reported suspicious bags inside tires that were in the trunks of new Fusion cars.”
State-run media lets us know that a National Guard Counterdrug program has been in place in all 50 states since the mid 1990s.
The program started as an effort to eradicate marijuana grows.
At 4:06 we learn that the US Dept. of Homeland Security made a request that the National Guard fill capability gaps in key areas of the US:
When the news is created by people in uniform, there’s no need to deal with any awkward/real questions from the press. It looks like newspeople aren’t showing up to ask questions, so we’ll ask a few here. Our questions will appear in bold type.
“…the National Guard Bureau operates five counterdrug schools that provide training in drug interdiction and counter-drug activities. These schools trained more than 41,400 law enforcement officers, community-based organization members, and military personnel in the fiscal year 2017.”
“…11 full-time airmen and soldiers are embedded in various law enforcement agencies around the state, including the DEA, Customs and the Delaware State Police.”
“A drunken driver steps out of his vehicle after being pulled over. He says he has a weapon, reaches in his pocket and pretends to pull out a gun.”
What does this scenario have to do with drug control policy or the National Guard?
We were told earlier that the National Guard role is limited to analyzing evidence and air support?
“In 2017, 345 people died of overdoses in Delaware. The health department expects last year’s number, which has not yet been finalized, to surpass that due to the increase in drugs laced with the potent synthetic drug fentanyl.”
Another state-run media update:
Prescription Drug Take Back:
0:28 “…collected more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications…”
A huge success for the legal drug dealers- they sold more than 9,600 pounds of prescription medications to people who did not need them.
Have National Guard counterdrug efforts resulted in any shortage of cartel-sourced heroin, cocaine, meth or fentanyl anywhere in the US?
What does the US Dept. of Homeland Security do with the $40.6 billion they get every 12 months?
“He requested support from the 248th Aviation Support Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard, who had similar equipment.”
The people of Missouri needed services in Iraq:
“As the 248th ASB’s deployment was ending, the partnership passed onto the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, Missouri Army National Guard.”
The people of Illinois needed services in Iraq:
“To me at least, it felt like it was something that has a lasting effect here,” said Illinois Army National Guard Staff Sgt. David Johnson, B. Company powertrain shop chief.
Any members of the press available to show up and ask why the people of Arizona need services in Afghanistan absent any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
Why does the US Dept. of Homeland Security tell us that thousands of terrorists were stopped last year at the border if the wars are keeping bad people from coming here to do bad things?
The Claim:
Jan 4th, 2019 McClatchy Washington Bureau/The Bellingham Herald
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
Why does the US Dept. of Homeland Security tell us that thousands of terrorists were stopped last year at the border if the wars are keeping bad people from coming here to do bad things?
The Claim:
Jan 4th, 2019 McClatchy Washington Bureau/The Bellingham Herald
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
Looks like life wasn’t meant to change after the big Saddam Hussein & Osama bin Laden takedowns.
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money
2014-
Island county to purchase new patrol boat to help with Puget Sound security:
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
Took a quick look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything.
If public meetings were held on Whidbey Island & people were asked to state their top law enforcement priorities- would a Homeland Security-funded patrol boat show up anywhere on the list?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound heroin?
Even one time?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?
Has Port Angeles CBP been able to intercept any inbound heroin?
Even one time?
Newspeople remain silent.
Possibly of interest-
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions: Operation Macho Swagger & Port Angeles Heroin
Suspicionless checkpoints
In 2008, the US Border Patrol came to Jefferson County, WA and set up suspicionless checkpoints and bus boardings- away from border crossings and ports of entry.
At a local Border Patrol forum a lady asked:
“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”
US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.
Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.
Question about providing ID is at 0:35
State and local law enforcement agencies do not conduct suspicionless checkpoints in Washington State.
“Inexpensive meth from Mexico is pouring into our state in record amounts and high purity, killing our citizens, destroying our families, and clogging our justice system.”
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for risking your ass in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Federal cash for Montana after meth flows past federal agents staffing a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then on into local communities:
Special IDs, US troops in distant lands, US troops at the southern border, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, suspicionless checkpoints, big drug busts, Homeland Security grant money, massing US Border Patrol agents at the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats fail to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Credibility in need of repair.
Newspeople need to chuck the hometown pride and get out and ask more questions.
Why does the US Dept. of Homeland Security tell us that thousands of terrorists were stopped last year at the border if the wars are keeping bad people from coming here to do bad things?
The Claim:
Jan 4th, 2019 McClatchy Washington Bureau/The Bellingham Herald
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
“The Border Patrol has refused repeated requests by the Peninsula Daily News — including those made under the Freedom of Information Act — for arrest totals for the Port Angeles station, which covers a territory that includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.”
Go and ask the FBI how many bank robberies took place last year in Portland, OR. You’ll get the numbers. They won’t tell you that statistics/public records must be withheld because they would assist bank robbers if they were released.
Any other law enforcement agencies anywhere in the US that maintain secret arrest statistics?
Washington State Patrol shares DUI arrest statistics on social media here:
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do heroin-trafficking cartels continue to move product into various parts of the US?
Each year, at the Super Bowl, the US Dept. of Homeland Security promotes their own image Re: preventing criminal activity. Why do these impressive capabilities fail to keep meth and heroin trafficking cartels from moving product into the US?
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
No matter what political party or personality is in power, federal prohibition of marijuana remains in place.
Same country that staged a big celebration of smaller/limited government earlier this month:
Trade, travel, friendship, business, jobs, economy and a top ally to the north. Across the border- a country that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking The Troops for freedoms, and fighting undeclared/unwon wars for freedom.
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, federal minimum drinking age, private liquor sales, interracial marriage, federal regulations on toilet fixtures, gay marriage, gas cans for your lawn equipment, gas for your lawn equipment, etc. All of these are completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
The Department of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
Took a ferry ride and went to see my sister yesterday. At the end of our visit she pointed out the new flag she had placed at the front of her home and asked why she didn’t see one when she came to visit us on July 4th. I was able to provide her with some answers.
Bait and switch on incentives used to get people to stay for 20 years in the US Armed Forces
No matter what political party or personality is in power, there are ongoing moves to modify what people thought they were earning in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service.
I’ve never been one to say that military benefits are inadequate. Just stick with whatever was offered when people signed up to stay on for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and we’re good.
Undeclared/Unwon Wars That Never End
No matter what political party or personality is in power, the wars roll on.
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
We’re told that we are in a life and death struggle in the War on Terror. Bad people will come here to destroy our American way of life if we don’t send The Troops to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2009, we need a special ID to go have lunch in Canada and then return home.
Seems like strict post-911 security protocols, the War on Terror, and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security would be a drug cartel’s worst nightmare.
No matter what political party or personality is in power there is no shortage of cartel-sourced meth or heroin anywhere in the US.
What role does Port Angeles CBP staffing and infrastructure play in keeping heroin and meth away from the Olympic Peninsula? (Not asking if they react after product arrives in local communities.)
If special ID works to keep bad guys out- how are cartels moving product into US communities in 2018?
Seems like strict post-911 security protocols & the War on Terror would be a drug cartel’s worst nightmare. What does our a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security have to say about all this?
So critical to the safety of America- the badass terrorists we are supposed to stay scared of have until Oct. 1, 2020 to make use of a weaker standard:
Forced separation of migrant children from their parents, National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Ohio:
“…Congress enacted the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act in 2006, which regulated the sale of certain over-the-counter drugs, like pseudoephedrine, used in cooking meth.”
“What everybody is doing now is buying the cheap Mexican meth, and not cooking anymore,” says Vinton County prosecutor Trecia Kimes-Brown.
“They are more violent,” says Ryan Cain, the lead detective on counternarcotics for the county. He says in a rural county with a culture of hunting, it’s not uncommon to encounter meth users who are hallucinating — and carrying a gun.
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Local authorities swing into action after $2.1 million worth of methamphetamine moves past National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then, on into Fayette County.
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
State-run media update:
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
The press asks zero questions about where this statistic came from.
With such an impressive handle on US Dept. of Homeland Security performance- why do Heroin-Trafficking Cartels continue to move product into local communities?
Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:
Forced separation of migrant children from their parents, National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security fail to keep meth out of Ohio:
“…Congress enacted the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act in 2006, which regulated the sale of certain over-the-counter drugs, like pseudoephedrine, used in cooking meth.”
“What everybody is doing now is buying the cheap Mexican meth, and not cooking anymore,” says Vinton County prosecutor Trecia Kimes-Brown.
“They are more violent,” says Ryan Cain, the lead detective on counternarcotics for the county. He says in a rural county with a culture of hunting, it’s not uncommon to encounter meth users who are hallucinating — and carrying a gun.
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Tried to have your back with strict post-911 security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, federal agents at border crossings & ports of entry & passports/enhanced & Real IDs to keep us all safe.
Local authorities swing into action after $2.1 million worth of methamphetamine moves past National Guard troops, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, then, on into Fayette County.
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
State-run media update:
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
“We know there are beds available at night, but I think people for whatever reason, be it mental health issues, opioid addiction or other addictions, people would rather camp out,” he said.
Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Tried to have your back with strict post-911 security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, federal agents at border crossings & ports of entry & passports/enhanced & Real IDs to keep us all safe.
We’ll try harder next time.
Did newspeople and politicians swear an oath to call it opioids instead of heroin?
Heroin crisis: A situation involving illegal product moved from outside the US into local communities. The US Dept. of Homeland Security has jurisdiction at the border, border crossings & ports of entry.
With a budget of $40.6 billion- how is the US Dept. of Homeland Security doing at keeping heroin away from local communities?
Opioid crisis: Term favored by the press & politicians to describe the abuse of product which may be stolen from Grandma’s medicine cabinet- also a very serious issue.
Accurate reporting allows people to learn how to prevent future incidents.
Anytime there is a plane crash- a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents.
Was the aircraft fueled with opioids before it crashed? Was it running on heroin?
Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.
What part of the story is missing?
Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?
Interesting that the heroin problem seems to have grown after 911, the addition of The US Dept. of Homeland Security and the requirement for passports/enhanced & Real IDs.
Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009. For your safety.
“…an array of local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies as well as private sector partners now share information, resources and expertise…”
Governor Justice wrote. “During the past decade, the Fusion Center has been nationally recognized countless times for its accomplishments.”
Looks like newspeople didn’t show up to ask any questions for the two news items above.
Fusion Center partners, strict post 911 security protocols and a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security are still unable to keep heroin-trafficking cartels from moving product into local communities.
“…crystal meth from Mexico has become the preferred choice among users.”
“We’re seeing a lot more meth, and it’s a different kind of meth than we were seeing five or six years ago,” Gupta said. “There’s a push from the cartels to get these drugs out there.”
“The new streams bring in a higher-grade, more expensive crystal meth driven by cartel activity through Mexico, Johnson said, citing Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports, along with greater pushes by organized crime to sell heroin and fentanyl across the country.”
Heroin:
When additional restrictions are placed on prescription drugs- what will prevent heroin-trafficking cartels from moving more product into local communities?
WHY WEST VIRGINIA’S HEROIN OVERDOSE RATE DOUBLED AFTER IT MANDATED DOCTORS USE THE STATE DRUG-MONITORING DATABASE
How many other botched background checks are in the system?
The rest of us need to have special IDs to go have lunch in Canada and return home. Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.
“Last year, the DEA alone seized 191 pounds of meth in Indiana. Nationwide, nearly 41,000 kilograms, or 90,000 pounds, of meth was reported seized by law enforcement agencies.”
A new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility, secret arrest statistics, denied FOIA requests, heroin in the community & a Border Patrol whistleblower investigation Re: fraudulent overtime that resulted in further suppression of information- keep the focus on asking questions in these areas.
No cross-border USBP arrest has happened here in more than 7 years.
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time.
Don’t miss our companion blog- found here: Old Man Blog
Strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- unable to keep Mexican mafia and drug cartel out of Southern California:
“The majority of meth comes out of Mexico from the drug cartels down there,” Fuller said. “Many states, South Dakota one of them, have made it very hard to find the precursors to make meth locally, so we’re not seeing the manufacturing sites up here. It’s coming from super labs in Mexico, brought in illegally across the border to source cities, like Denver, for example, and from there, it’s transported here. The majority in our area comes from Denver or L.A.”
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mass casualty shootings, etc.
Newspeople, reporters and journalists are free to ask basic public policy questions and post updated reports at any time. Do they ever question any of this?
Strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- unable to keep 575 pounds of meth & cocaine out of Gwinnett County:
Still no justification provided by elected officials or the US Border Patrol for an upgrade in staff requiring a new, $11.9 million, 50 agent facility.
Have these Port Angeles based Homeland Security patrol boats made any arrest related to the US/Canada border?
Have these boats been used to intercept any inbound heroin?
Newspeople remain silent.
Ineffective:
Meth and heroin continue to move past strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- then, on into local communities.
Newspeople play along by not asking questions.
Still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq and Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Many veterans claim to have served to protect American rights & freedoms.
How does this work?
Do the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
Black people were still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory.
Women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI.
Until July of 1971, 18 year old adults did not have full voting rights. Why didn’t US Military operations conducted in the 1940s, 50s & 60s get the job done on this?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
With all this talk of American rights and freedoms can I take my 20 year old girlfriend (a responsible adult) down to the bar to order up a few beers for freedom?
Should we check with the Joint Chiefs of Staff first?
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
16 years later- still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq and Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Homeland Security Vote of Confidence
Chicago and western suburbs-
Federal agents swing into action after more than 52 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of heroin move past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Chicago and western suburbs:
“Ten years ago, labs were an issue but now most meth comes from Mexico and Central America, he said. Of all the meth busted in Wisconsin, 5 percent was made here, he added.”
Federal agents take 29 kilograms of cocaine & 8 kilograms of heroin off the streets of Cleveland after product moves past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into local communities.
“Q: How are illegal opioids coming into the Cleveland area?
A: The most known or common way is the Mexican cartels are bringing it up.”
Welcome Home Troops
Thanks for your many years of service in Iraq & Afghanistan- working to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Local authorities swing into action after strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- fail to keep heroin out of Philly.
Federal agents dismantle meth pipeline that had operated from Mexico to Denver and Wyoming since 2007– after product moved past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into local communities since 2007:
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mall shootings, child abduction, etc.
Still trying to figure out how a highly advanced surveillance state & sending troops to Iraq and Afghanistan works to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
Federal agents swing into action after more than 52 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of heroin move past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Chicago and western suburbs:
One alternative would be to remove the federal monopoly & allow the airlines to handle security -similar to the way Las Vegas casinos do.
This would maintain an incentive to create a safe and comfortable situation for customers.
Elsewhere on the US troops in distant lands keeping us safe scene:
Law enforcement authorities swing into action after strict post 911 security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security & screening for passports/enhanced & Real IDs fail to keep 87 pounds of heroin out of Michigan apartment complex.
“From Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma to Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota and all across the South, inexpensive methamphetamine is flowing in from Mexico, fueling what police and epidemiologists say is an alarming increase in the number of people using the drug, and dying from it.”
Still trying to figure out how sending US troops to Iraq & Afghanistan was meant to keep bad people from coming here to do bad things.
If the good guys can tell what the bad guys will do before they do it- surely, these powerful crime fighting tools will be used to shut down gang and cartel activity, heroin trafficking, bank robberies, mall shootings, child abduction, etc.
“Funding for the boat was issued through the Homeland Security Grant Program under Operation Stonegarden.”
If public meetings were held on Whidbey Island & people were asked to state their top law enforcement priorities- would a Homeland Security-funded patrol boat show up anywhere on the list?
If the Sheriff was interviewed & asked for his wish list- is there any possibility that it would include a Homeland Security-funded patrol boat?
Took a quick look on the web to see if there is a post 911 history of maritime “cross-border activity” on Whidbey & could not find anything. If anyone has info, please post in comments.
Recommendation-
Let the Sheriff & the people he serves set funding priorities for the Island County Sheriff’s Department.
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound heroin?
Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest related to the US/Canada border?
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs personnel during Operation Macho Swagger– a ride-along to let us know what is being done to keep the southern edge of the Strait of Juan de Fuca safe from B.C. incursions:
What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from Port Angeles?
“Jeh Johnson, the nation’s top security official has been in Arizona for most of the week, and today he will be in Phoenix to talk about Super Bowl security.”
“Johnson is expected to talk about Homeland Security’s plans to protect the players and fans that includes using members of the Air National Guard here in Southern Arizona to protect the air space during the big game.”
Love to see newspeople ask: If special games require special security– what keeps regular games safe? Crowd size/capacity is similar at several stadiums.
“Most of the money comes from a string of federal heroin raids in and around Snohomish. Ultimately the suspects were unable to prove they obtained the cash legally, allowing police to go through the process to seize it, the chief said.”
