Enhance and provide local Homeland Security solutions

By Bill Hunt

In the post 9/11 world, it is essential that public safety entities work together. We must end the current empire building and inter-jurisdictional rivalries and ensure the county anticipates plans and trains for all threats. I am committed to working with our partners to ensure that we have the planning, personnel, equipment and training to respond quickly and efficiently to hazards and threats from criminal activity and terrorism to natural disasters.

I will post information on the website to inform the public about what actions to take in advance of potential disaster, including an explanation about shelter in place, evacuation routes and other pertinent information.

I will develop a tsunami, earthquake, and natural disaster plan. Orange County has no such plan. We must have an all-hazard plan in place that addresses any potential threat. It is not enough to focus on current event hot topics and leave other potential threats unaddressed.

I will seek additional Homeland Security funding to ensure the resources to provide safety and security and to respond quickly and efficiently to any hazard.

I will expand the Terrorist Early Warning Group and invite other local law enforcement agencies, health and the fire authority to better prepare.

I will change the part-time SWAT team to full-time Crisis Preparedness: In an era of random violence in our schools and businesses, there is no excuse for not having our best-trained assets available 24/7 to respond to emergencies, serve high-risk needs, such as warrants prisoner transports and other tactical operations. The best-trained and equipped personnel are the ones to deal with high-risk tactical operations leaving other specialty units free to focus on their area of responsibility. I will approach the Chiefs of Police about forming a regional SWAT team outfitted with state of the art training and equipment to serve around the clock with a significant reduction in overall costs.