Threats
Customs and Border Protection updates internal framework for weighing risks of vehicular pursuits
A new directive from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) service determined that changes were needed and clarity provided for weighing the risks of vehicular pursuit but refrained from banning the practice. The decision followed an extensive review of the agency’s past... Read More »
Justice Department details Georgia drug trafficking indictment
Justice Department officials have detailed a Southern District of Georgia federal indictment naming 76 defendants stemming from a drug trafficking investigation tied to the Ghost Face Gangsters criminal street gang. Authorities indicated the indictment includes allegations of multiple deaths from... Read More »
New York funds seek to bolster cybersecurity initiatives
New York state officials are espousing the benefits of $35.2 million in new funding in support of statewide cybersecurity enhancements. “The frequency, magnitude, and impact of cyber-attacks have increased, but we will continue to take bold measures to secure and protect New York’s critical... Read More »
U.S. Fire Administration report highlights national fire threat, new strategy to combat it
Through an Executive Summary of the U.S. Fire Administrator’s report, released this week, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has put out both a warning of the dangers posed by growing wildfire issues and a series of recommendations and strategies for fighting back. The USFA is a component of... Read More »
WHO, CDC declare Ugandan Ebola outbreak over
It was the worst Ebola outbreak Uganda had experienced in decades, but after 42 days – or two incubation periods – since the last case was reported, the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have declared the viral threat over. “I... Read More »
TSA details record Philadelphia airport gun seizures
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials said 44 guns detected in carry-on luggage in 2022 at Philadelphia International Airport represent a record for the most guns caught at the security checkpoint. “Our TSA officers are good at their jobs in helping to ensure that passengers get... Read More »
Bipartisan group of senators head for Southwest Border on fact-finding mission
A delegation from the Senate headed to the United States-Mexican border this week in Texas and Arizona to explore issues related to security and humanitarian and economic challenges in the region and related to larger immigration concerns. The group, which included U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CN),... Read More »
White paper outlines tactical edge communications challenges
Military communications and network solutions company Fuse Integration has released a white paper examining the Joint All-Domain Command and Control system's (JADC2) role in addressing military tactical edge challenges. “U.S. and allied defense forces are facing an increasingly dynamic landscape... Read More »
House HELD Act pushes incentives for state, local law enforcement to comply with federal requests to transfer illegal immigrants
In an attempt to hasten the deportation of convicted illegal immigrants, United States Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) reintroduced the Help Ensure Legal Detainers (HELD) Act this week, a bill that would incentivize state and local law enforcement to transfer those immigrants to federal... Read More »
CBP outlines Morelos Dam construction plan
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have outlined the U.S. Border Patrol's Morelos Dam construction plan, noting the effort would close gaps in the border barrier. “The safety and security of our workforce, law enforcement partners, and the local community are a top priority,”... Read More »
DHS National Urban Security Technology Lab seeks information on commercially available VR, AR training tools
Based on its latest request for information (RFI), the United States Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) sees potential for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in training law enforcement and emergency response... Read More »DHS prepares for return to processing noncitizens under Title 8, despite public health order hangups
Currently, immigration to the United States is still bound by the requirements of the Title 42 public health order enacted in March 2020, but while the legality of this remains bound up in court, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated this week that it is preparing for a return to Title 8... Read More »
START releases interactive data map highlighting connections between January 6th defendants, extremist groups
While cases against participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection continue, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) waded into the matter last week with the launch of a new data map showcasing connections between defendants and extremist... Read More »
National Institutes of Health touts Home Test to Treat program
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is touting the new Home Test to Treat program, a virtual community health intervention that provides free COVID-19 health services and treatments in selected communities. “At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are... Read More »
NIST creates new yeast-based reference material for biothreat training
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a reference material based on baker’s yeast cells – a harmless yet living biological material – that they intend to use for training first responders on biothreats. “Suspicious powder incidents occur... Read More »
DEA details Louisville Division fentanyl seizures
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that, last year, the Louisville Division yielded the seizure of 184,382 fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and 316 pounds of Fentanyl powder. “Fentanyl is a national problem, and it’s landed right on our doorstep,” DEA Louisville... Read More »
South Texas CBP officers note major uptick of illegal immigrants encountered and cocaine seized
Last year brought serious increases in encounters along south Texas ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who reported 10,243 pounds of cocaine seized and 57,732 non-U.S. citizens encountered in violation of immigration laws. The figures spanned the... Read More »
DEA details Omaha Division fentanyl seizures
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the Omaha Division's seizure of nearly 4.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl in both pill and powder form throughout 2022. “The amount of fentanyl we’ve seized across our Division has far surpassed our totals from last year,” DEA... Read More »
DHS S&T details gunshot detection technology
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently announced a collaboration with Shooter Detection Systems (SDS) based in Rowly, Mass., which resulted in the development of SDS Outdoor, a portable Gunshot Detection System technology to aid law... Read More »
Justice Department launches civil lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen, subsidiaries for violations of Controlled Substances Act
In a civil complaint filed last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a nationwide lawsuit against AmerisourceBergen Corp. and two of its subsidiaries, which together form one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors, for violating federal law on the distribution of controlled... Read More »
CDC sticks COVID-19 test requirements on air passengers from China
Even as China reopens itself to travel following years of heavy restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its citizens face a new roadblock from entry to the United States: a demand for negative COVID-19 tests for any flier. The restriction was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and... Read More »
Lawmakers tout Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act enactment
U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently applauded their Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, which aids disaster mitigation projects, being signed into law. Specifically, the legislation makes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI)... Read More »
Quantum Computer Cybersecurity Preparedness Act encourages proactive federal cybersecurity
The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act became law this week in the United States, establishing a series of new priorities and requirements for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to guide federal cybersecurity to post-quantum cryptography. Specifically, the legislation–... Read More »
Resolution targets illicit trade, money laundering
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said his resolution encouraging Congress to combat international criminal organizations, illicit trade, and the use of trade-based money laundering (TBML) has garnered Senate approval. Cassidy was joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)... Read More »
HHS expands Tamiflu access for flu season
With flu season in full swing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week that additional supplies of Tamiflu would be tapped to meet increased demand. Jurisdictions will manage any Tamiflu requests through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in collaboration... Read More »
PFAS Act signed into law, mandating new efforts to protect firefighters from forever chemicals
With a signature from President Joe Biden, the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances (PFAS) Act became law this week, officially directing federal agencies to create new best practices, training, and educational programs to limit and shield firefighters from exposure to hazardous... Read More »
DEA details nearly 51 million fentanyl seizures in past calendar year, according to report
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials have detailed the seizure of more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and over 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379... Read More »
FEMA outlines community resilience program funding opportunity
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting applications for the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) on Feb. 1, 2023. The RILF seeks to foster greater community resilience while reducing disaster vulnerability and suffering, noting the Bipartisan... Read More »
DARPA announces AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition winners
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials recently announced the winners of its AI for Critical Mineral Assessment Competition, noting the effort increases and better secures critical mineral supply. In conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the competition's goal... Read More »
DHS launches new Small Business Innovation Research solicitation to address seven technology needs
For its latest Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) solicitation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accepting applications for research proposals on any of seven current technology needs, which will be competitively selected. Small business applicants can submit ideas... Read More »
Record number of firearms seized at airport security this year
The number of people who attempted to bring guns onto United States airplanes rose significantly this year, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), despite having never been allowed in carry-on bags regardless of concealed weapons permits. This protection measure resulted... Read More »
Sen. Peters lauds reauthorization of Nonprofit Security Grant Program
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) is touting the $360 million reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which bolsters religious institution security initiatives. Peters supported a National Defense Authorization Act provision... Read More »
New York legislation targets violent crimes against police officers
New York state officials are touting a newly enacted measure that addresses violent crimes against police officers. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed S.772A/A.6318B to establish a Blue Alert system aiding the identification, location, and apprehension of individuals suspected of killing or... Read More »
Bill targets Latin America, Caribbean gun trafficking
U.S. Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Norma Torres (D-CA), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) recently introduced legislation to address Latin America and Caribbean gun trafficking. The Americas Regional Monitoring... Read More »