Florida sets up hotline for homeland security tips
Sep 1, 2011
The following article was published in the Tampa Tribune on September 1, 2011:
Florida sets up hotline for homeland security tips
Florida is marking the approaching 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by setting up a homeland security hotline.
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday announced Florida’s participation in the “If You See Something, Say Something Program.”
Citizens can report suspicious activity by dialing 855-FLA-SAFE, or 855-352-7233.
The program began in New York City and has been adopted by the federal government.
The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the program. It says encouraging people to spy on their neighbors is not an effective law enforcement technique.
ACLU’s Florida director, Howard Simon, said pitting citizen against citizen will increase suspicion and mistrust and lead to racial and ethnic stereotyping.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey acknowledged no specific threats have been identified in Florida.
Find this article here: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_HOMELAND_SECURITY_HOTLINE_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-09-01-17-51-46