Anti-Terrorism Update From Attorney General Mark Barnett

(Pierre) – Attorney General Mark Barnett said today that his office is:

• Reviewing terrorism legislation from around the country for potential ideas that would increase security in South Dakota;
• Preparing threat assessments and planning coordinated responses to terrorist incidents;
• Training public safety personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, emergency medical services, and medical clinics;
• Working on a proposal to deliver anti-terrorism training to 16 cities in South Dakota;
• Monitoring the activities of fund raising groups related to the September 11 attacks;
• Enhancing statewide law enforcement intelligence collection and dissemination system related to potential terrorism activity.

The Office of the Attorney General, in conjunction with other state offices, has already developed a specialized 20-hour course of instruction for airport security officers. The program will be implemented throughout the state starting this month.

 For the most updated information about the security measures the office is taking, visit our website at http://atg.sd.gov/.