On September 15th the Pentagon approved the sharing of databases with law enforcement on a local level, another acknowledgment that the majority of security and safety implementations are ineffective without coordination with local police. This, in conjunction with the appointment of Sheriff Leo McGuire of Oakland, NJ to the National Sheriff’s Association’s ‘Congressional Affairs’ and ‘Homeland Security’ committees, provides an opportunity to examine some of the larger issues that effect quality of life in Bergen County.
We asked Sheriff McGuire to answer some questions on national security, drunk driving, gang activity, and the concerns over how police respond to calls involving a person affected by the autism spectrum. And, as an elected official, we inquired with him about political chatter in our area.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Many suggestions from the nation’s 9/11 Commission have yet to be implemented. One component was setting minimum standards for identification documents at a federal level. This led to the development of REAL ID which met resistance and was re-worked into PASS ID in order to address concerns from various groups and move the project forward.
This is an issue of interest for those concerned with national security, identity theft and even for casual travelers. Citizens traveling to places like the Caribbean did not necessarily need a passport till this past June, but new requirements are now in place and the need for resolution on the PASS ID issue is becoming more paramount.
We asked Sheriff McGuire: What insight can you offer on the Real ID which was recommended by the 9/11 commission and the new version called Pass ID? Can you explain how this will aid both police work and national security?
“Pass ID is a retooling of the Real ID initiative that is designed to reduce the costs of implementation and meet the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. At issue originally were the costs to the states in trying to be compliant with Real ID and that the federal government was having difficulty in identifying the best ways to ensure the validity of the ID system.There were inherent “Big Brother” issues that scared many civil libertarians. As a member of the National Sheriff’s Association Homeland Security Committee and of NJ’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, I can report that the technical issues are being addressed as we speak to ensure that the rights of our citizens are protected while establishing ways in which we can be protected from terrorists obtaining fraudulent identification.”
DRUNK DRIVING
Bergen County consistently has over two thousand arrests a year for driving under the influence; statewide, there were over 160 deaths directly related to driving under the influence. Some states and organizations are promoting the idea of DWI courts which would presumably reduce the recidivism rate of drunk drivers by overseeing stricter educational and therapeutic measures.
We asked Sheriff McGuire: Do you see any real benefit from adding another layer to the judicial process with respect to drunk driving?
Michael’s Law was passed sometime ago that requires 180 days of jail time upon conviction of a 3rd DWI offense in NJ but 90 days of that can be in an inpatient treatment facility. Treatment is the key, as is education, in reducing the incidents of drunk driving. NJ is one of the few states that DWI is not a crime, it is a motor vehicle offense.
I believe our municipal courts do a great job of addressing the cases before them thus a DWI Court is not warranted in NJ at this time. However, I support any effort that makes our roads safer.
AUTISM SPECTRUM
New Jersey has one of the highest rates of autism in the nation, and many families are concerned with how police respond to situations involving an individual affected by the autism spectrum. The concern is focused on citizens who do not process information in a manner police are accustomed to, and the fear that tragedies might ensue from miscommunication.
We asked Sheriff McGuire: Are police on a county level responding to the need for additional training in dealing with individuals who might be effected by the autism spectrum?
“Assemblywoman Joan Voss, 36th District here in Bergen County, sponsored a bill that was signed into law by Gov. Corzine that mandates greater training for law enforcement personnel statewide in dealing with persons with Asperger’s and Autism disorders. My office has Project Lifesaver which is a program that places an Alzheimer’s patient or Autistic person on a tracking device in the event that they wander away from home. An international program that started for Alzheimer’s, I am friends with an Oakland family through church whose son has Autism. I saw the need to provide some comfort to parents who are afraid that their child may run away and not be able to find them. Now, we have over 50 young people on the program, giving parents another tool in keeping their child safe. Our office, in coordination with local police, have training and equipment to bring the person home quickly.”
GANG ACTIVITY
While only pockets of New Jersey are seriously impacted by gang activity, the tentacles of these organizations have been steadily expanding into suburban settings. A recent report addressed the need of government to limit communication between imprisoned gang leaders and those still operating on the streets. This need is reflected with the introduction of the Safe Prisons Communication Act of 2009 which would allow for jamming devices to prevent cell phone communications.
We asked Sheriff McGuire: There have been numerous news reports over the last couple of months decrying the inability of correction officials to control gang activity in the prisons. A major focus has been on the inability of officials to limit unfettered communication due to the use of cell phones in the prisons. Do you have any insight on this situation in NJ?
Gangs in prisons and jails are a significant concern. My administration created a Security Threat Group Unit to gather information and catalogue gang members and tattoos. Any information we discover is shared with other law enforcement authorities to uncover and prevent crimes from occurring. We have numerous methods to search for and intercept cell phones before they enter our facility, including the use of a K-9 that is trained to detect the lithium in the cell phone battery. There is a bill in Congress to allow us to use cell jamming devices within the footprint of our facility, this alone will allow us to stop illicit communications from taking place.
POLITICS
All politics is local, and any elected official would be unemployed without acknowledging that reality. The world of the Internet has created a variety of news sources that communication on politics in New Jersey, PolitickerNJ.com, InTheLobby.net, being two familiar to political pundits.
We asked Sheriff McGuire: The Internet is always full of political chatter, both national and local. You’re name is often mentioned in the context of different positions, most recently as a contender for County Executive. Any comment on that rumor?
I am humbled by the support I have received both as a former councilman in Oakland and as Sheriff and the confidence so many people have in my abilities; I can assure you, I have much work to do as Bergen County Sheriff and relish the opportunity to continue working for the residents of Bergen County in that position.