JRTELEGRAPH recently met and talked with Ed Flynn. The last name is familiar to most people in Boston. Ed is a son of the former popular Boston Mayor and Ambassador to Vatican Ray Flynn. But most importantly Ed is a veteran of the United States Navy. Currently he is running for City Councilor at Large. In his campaign Ed pays special attention to the problems of homeland security.
He is the only candidate who is trained as a homeland security specialist. Here is a statement that Ed released to the media last week :
Statement by Edward M. Flynn
Candidate for the Boston City Council – At Large
July 26, 2005
How many times have we heard politicians say that the country has changed since September 11, 2001? That things have to be done differently?
We were certainly reminded about our security when we heard about the recent spate of London mass transit bombings. Domestic security has become the greatest concern for millions of Americans, especially for people who live in large and nationally important cities like Boston.
I volunteered for active duty in the Navy following 9/11. I was on a base in Norfolk, Virginia, receiving extensive anti-terrorism training at the Naval War College, and aboard ships and bases in Europe and in the Persian Gulf. I was part of the extensive security training that the U.S. Defense Department initiated. In fact, the reason I was late getting into the Boston City Council race was because of my training. I was asked by the U.S. Navy to assist with logistics and homeland security intelligence for the U.S. Presidential Inauguration. That was a thorough and elaborate three-month security assignment, obviously with the most sophisticated domestic security program.
Things changed alright since 9-11, especially in the military. Our federal government certainly changed how the military deals with base security, federal buildings and airports. But that is only a small part of the way we live our daily lives.
Former U.S. House Speaker Tom O’Neill often said, "All politics is local." He was right then and his words are still accurate today. This means that our police and even our citizens need to be educated about how they can go about their normal everyday lives, but also remaining alert and keeping a sharp eye for things going on around them. The other day just after the recent London bombings, the only local government response I heard were photo opportunities and press conferences. But what was actually said or done that would make the citizens of Boston feel safer? The answer is nothing. Politicians asked us to be alert. OK, but where is the detailed information and training if we need to assist the police? An even more important question might be, with all the money that the federal government is spending on domestic security, why don’t we see front line police officers in our neighborhoods? Or should I say, where are the anti-terrorist trained police officers who will attend our community meetings and help interested citizens to be alert to strange activities that might be going on.
I learned in my military training that human intelligence is key to homeland security and in heading off any possible terrorists acts. Yes, we are living in a different world and we need to do things differently to protect our families and neighbors. Yes, all politics is local. But so is effective security and policing. If you never see a police officer how can you feel comfortable passing along helpful information?
Having a couple of hundred police officers standing at Downtown Crossing or South Station and none around a busy Roche Brothers Market in West Roxbury does not make much sense. Naval Security officers know not only what was going on inside the military base but the surrounding community as well.
If it’s true that we are living in a different world and community, then we’d better start doing things differently. Difficult problems will mean making difficult decisions. Career politicians do not have the knowledge or experience. They certainly do not have any new ideas. New ideas often come from the people themselves, not City Hall or the State House. Homeland Security begins in our neighborhoods and must be given the highest priority by our city government. Potential terrorists live among us. They attend our schools, travel our streets and tend to associate with people of similar cultural backgrounds.
I would immediately call for a comprehensive citizens’ awareness campaign to be launched by the City of Boston in each of Boston’s neighborhoods. Homeland Security trained police officers would attend the meetings. They would provide and explain a brochure on what people should know and can do to make their neighborhoods safer.
During World War II, American schoolchildren were provided information on what they should keep their eyes open for, which provided helpful information to security officers. All Americans responded in a united way which we need to replicate now.
The city must ensure that all our police officers are given extensive Homeland Security training, such as the few who have done so at the F.B.I. training center in Virginia. The city should immediately provide training to our municipal police and cadets and expedite their becoming sworn Boston Police officers. All of Boston’s neighborhoods need police walking the streets now.
In this comprehensive Homeland Security initiative, I would especially include people who service the public, from librarians, cab drivers and people who work in restaurants. Every terrorist must learn from books in our libraries. They eat and discuss their plans in our restaurants. They drive on our streets and take our taxis.
Boston does not have enough adequately trained police officers to effectively deal with a terrorist attack. Boston should have at least 2,350 Homeland Security-trained officers. The money is there. Having only 2,000 police officers in an important strategic city like Boston, with all its potential terrorism targets is reckless and irresponsible. We keep on hearing that we are living in a different world since 9/11, yet we keep on coming up with the same old worn out strategies. My military training and background experience make me qualified to assess these vital needs. I am not a career politician, but I am someone who knows public safety and the critical issue of human intelligence locally and internationally.
If the recent events in London have shown us anything, it’s that international terrorism is migrating toward local targets and smaller scale attacks in our large cities. As residents of the great City of Boston, it is our civic duty to protect ourselves, our neighbors and our visitors.
For additional information, please contact (617) 269-0776.
It is high time for us to start paying attention to what kind of politicians we entrust with our local government. We like Ed's background and his statement.
posted by: jrtelegraph
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