Do you believe that labeling terrorism as a crime that can be committed domestically has changed policing? How? Why? Provide examples.

Do you believe that labeling terrorism as a crime that can be committed domestically has changed policing? How? Why? Provide examples.

Yes. Labeling domestic crimes as terrorism has changed law enforcement. For many years, the US constitution has failed in executing deserving punishment to lawbreakers, especially in cases of domestic terrorism.

Federal Hate Crimes Statutes have been used in dealing with cases of terrorism within the states from 1968 but has failed terribly in protecting Americans. Due to new cases, it has been amended periodically to fit the degree of crime and making new precedents.

The US federal government has remained agile on security since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Years later, the country has been prone to attacks not only domestically but internationally.

Example

Robert Bowers organized an attack on a church in Pittsburgh, Penn., The attack killed eleven believers and maimed many others. They had gathered in Tree of Life Synagogue for a worship service. Being a domestic attack, the court charged him under federal statutes on hate crimes for violating the worshipers’ freedom of religious beliefs forcefully and by force and attempt to kill with dangerous weapons.

The charges on Bowers were below the weight of the crime. The laws in the case of Bowers failed to hold him accountable for what he did, i.e., domestic terrorism. He deserved charges like any other terrorist, but there was no policy to charge him for that.

Have the number of victims of racial profiling increased over the last decade?

Racial profiling is using someone’s race, religion, and ethnicity as the grounds to link them to a crime. It is one of the highest levels of violation of human rights in the US. It is wrong and violates both the USA constitution and local laws. Sadly it happens often in people’s daily lives.

In one of the case studies done by the Domestic Human Rights Program, they found out that there is increasing unlawful use of racial profiling. It is rampant in the police department, immigration, and airstrips security operations since the terror attack on September 11, 2001. Racial profiling grew significantly after the terror attack as a way of apprehending suspects and preventing such kind of incidents in America. The study confirmed that state laws offer insufficient protection against profiling.

The scourge increases substantially even after president George W Bush swore to end racial profiling. Congress came up with ERPA, which close to 100 congress members from the two political parties. ERPA was responsible for seeing the end to racial profiling, establish restorative and funding other programs accountable for community relations. The plan was winning significantly before the terror attack. In simple terms, the terror in 2001 diverted congress attention from the matter, and since then, racial profiling has remained a norm in the US.

From public consultation done in most of the states in America by the Domestic Human Rights Program, racial profiling has increased over the two decades.

What laws and services are available for victims of racial profiling?

The US constitution, under the thirteen and fourteen amendments, offers protection to the victims. Under clauses like Equal Protection, Due Process, and Civil rights Act of 1965, the law protects individuals from unfair treatment such as racial profiling. Also, EEOC and various Jurisdiction statutes are subtle on the rights of victims.

Victims are protected from the local government to the federal government through the constitution and other rights subdivided to the state members. Individuals can get justice from the court, or they can report such cases to their local government jurisdictions. Victims should reach out to the following in case of unfair profiling:

• State senators
• Delegates
• Council members,

Other associations are:

• American Bar Association
• National Association Advancement for Colored People (NAACP)
• AFL-CIO
• LGBT
• The Civil Liberties Union

What might other actions be taken on behalf of victims of racial profiling?

Although the government should protect you from racial profiling, it is also your responsibility to take precautions concerning your security. The most rational action is reporting the cases to the police department and other law enforcement officials. You can also protect yourself through registering your weapons, install an alarm system, contacting media, having a neighborhood association, and call on members of your family.

In place of terrorism attacks, daily inspection by police is paramount. They should take the investigation in areas with suspicious activities, and other people of interest.

Victims should have Civil Rights Lawyer represent them in the court. Some of the reason we still have racial profiling is because of poor judgment from stereotypes and other personal interests. Civil Rights lawyers protect individuals from racial profiling. How? They have a good judgment from their past experiences from the past as cops, prosecutors before becoming attorneys.

Has the Department of Homeland Security helped fight terrorism, or has it merely duplicated the efforts and jurisdictions of other agencies? How has it helped?

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established to protect Americans from terrorism. It was established after the 9/11 attack in America for response and recovery from such attacks in the future. It has played a significant role in dealing with terrorism in the communities and internationally. They engage other law enforcement bodies and communities in protecting American citizens.

DHS has helped in harnessing security and protecting the US from terrorism. It is not a duplicate of other agencies but rather engages them in the unity of purpose, i.e., protection. Also, DHS has its specific roles regarding terrorism. They are:

• DHS works with the National Terrorism Advisory System(NTAS) for information on terrorism and its threats.
• It works closely with The Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention in preventing a terrorist attack
• It plays a significant role in emphasizing the community on reporting suspicious activities in the neighborhood.
• DHS plays a role in Critical Infrastructure Security, i.e., ensuring that security assets are in perfect condition.
• It counters Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
• DHS works closely with the office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (OTVTP) in empowering the community, preventing people from being mobilized to terrorism for favors.

Reference

Andreas, P., & Nadelmann, E. A. (2008). Policing the Globe: Criminalization and crime control in international relations. Oxford University Press.

Treverton, G. F. (2003). Terrorism, intelligence, and law enforcement: Learning the right lessons. Intelligence and National Security, 18(4), 121-140.

Moynihan, D. P. (2005). Homeland security and the US public management policy agenda. Governance, 18(2), 171-196.

Carter, D. L., & Carter, J. G. (2009). The intelligence fusion process for state, local, and tribal law enforcement. Criminal justice and behavior, 36(12), 1323-1339.