Hoyer and Region's Top Security Coordinator Discuss Keeping our Region Secure with Local First Responders
Congressman Hoyer has held these meetings with the local law enforcement community to discuss issues ranging from school violence to how to better coordinate services between local, state and federal officials. This year, he invited Thomas J. Lockwood, Director of the Office of National Capital Region Coordination at the Department of Homeland Security to attend so that first responders could speak directly with the region's security coordinator about their needs and concerns.
"As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and a long-time supporter of law enforcement, I have for many years been very active in fighting for increased funding for first responders," said Congressman Hoyer. "My involvement does not end with the passage of an appropriations bill, rather my job is complete when you have received the funding you need to safely and effectively perform your job.
"While funding will continue to be a critical component of helping you do your job, I thought it would be appropriate at this roundtable to talk about the progress and challenges we face in the capital region in meeting the nation's homeland security needs," said Hoyer.
Given the recent action by the Department of Homeland Security raising the terror alert, the law enforcement community in the 5th Congressional District was invited to this roundtable with Congressman Hoyer to discuss the security challenges they face as well as the information and cooperation local and county police departments are receiving from federal authorities.
"As the recent rise in the terror alert makes clear, we must begin a discussion about implementing security best practices and evaluating our effectiveness if we are to secure both our region and the nation from attack. I look forward to continuing to work with you so that you have the federal resources you need to keep our first responders safe and to keep our communities protected," added Rep. Hoyer.
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