NCJ Number
212315
Editor(s)
William C. Nicholson
Date Published
2005
Length
408 pages
Annotation
This anthology on homeland security law and policy in the United States contains eight sections on issues related to the mission of Federal, State, and local governments in providing homeland security.
Abstract
Section I defines "homeland security," the place of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in policy, law, and management; FEMA's changing priorities; and the shape of emergency response and management under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Section II contains chapters that explore local and regional perspectives on homeland security, and homeland security initiatives in metro areas. The chapters of Section III address new partnerships for homeland security that encompass all levels of government, the private sector, and higher education. One chapter reviews policies pertinent to the partnering of State and local governments with the U.S. Department of Defense in responding to disasters. Section IV focuses on civil rights under homeland security legislation and policy, with attention to Federal and State governments' demands for new powers, which some chapters argue go too far in violating and eroding Americans' traditional civil rights. Other issues addressed in this section are techniques of antiterrorism investigation under the requirements of the fourth amendment, the USA PATRIOT Act, and countering money laundering by terrorist groups. Section V explores the security challenges for mass transit and aviation, and section VI discusses natural disasters, weapons of mass destruction, bioterrorism defense, and the features and threats posed by a "dirty bomb." Section VII contains chapters on the foreign policy aspects of homeland security, with attention to foreign views of United States' efforts to counter terrorism and arguments for and against the Iraq war as a major component of homeland security. In addressing future challenges, section VIII addresses the restructuring of homeland security management and executive orders and legislation implemented in response to the 9-11 Commission Report. Chapter notes, references, and discussion questions, appended supplementary information, and a subject index