In the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida Family Association sent an email letter to Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Richard L. Swearingen on June 29, 2016. The letter requested information regarding their statutorily mandated leadership role in counter terrorism efforts in Florida. The FDLE did not respond so Florida Family Association sent a second letter on July 12, 2016.
FDLE Commissioner Richard L. Swearingen responded in a letter dated August 10, 2016 that was mailed on August 17, 2016. His letter affirms the agency’s leadership role and explains their partnership with local law enforcement agencies. While it is encouraging to know that the FDLE takes this leadership role the letter does not mention whether they yield to the FBI in true leadership.
Florida Family Association wrote a follow up letter on August 29, 2016 to Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Richard L. Swearingen. This letter asked the FDLE if Florida will give Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman, a pass as it appears the Obama administration is doing.
FIRST: Florida Family Association letter sent on July 29 and August 12, 2016:
Dear Commissioner Swearingen,
Florida Family Association members are very concerned about the changes that President Obama has made to investigative procedures since 2009 diminish public safety. If you would like a list of these changes I will gladly provide them. However, I assume for this letter that you are aware of these damaging changes.
Florida Statutes make clear that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is the ultimate agency responsible for protecting citizens from terrorism in our state.
Florida Statutes 943.0321 The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center and the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database. States in part: (1)(a) There is created within the Department of Law Enforcement the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center. (b) The Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Database is created within the Florida Domestic Security and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Center.
Florida Statutes 943.03101 Counter-terrorism coordination.—The Legislature finds that with respect to counter-terrorism efforts and initial responses to acts of terrorism within or affecting this state, specialized efforts of emergency management which are unique to such situations are required and that these efforts intrinsically involve very close coordination of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies with the efforts of all others involved in emergency-response efforts. In order to
best provide this specialized effort, the Legislature has determined that such efforts should be coordinated by and through the Department of Law Enforcement, working closely with the Division of Emergency Management and others involved in preparation against acts of terrorism in or affecting this state, and in the initial response to such acts, in accordance with the state comprehensive emergency management plan prepared pursuant to s.252.35(2)(a).
The citizens of Florida can no longer rely upon the FBI, given Obama’s investigatory restraints, to protect them from Islamic terrorism. Millions of Floridians who are aware of the FBI’s inadequacies need to be assured that the State of Florida will step up to protect them.
Will the Florida Department of Law Enforcement take the lead role in protecting Floridians from terrorism? If so please describe what the FDLE is doing now that it was not doing before June 12, 2016 when terrorism struck Orlando.
Sincerely, David Caton, President
Florida Family Association, Inc.
SECOND: FDLE letter in response to Florida Family Association's letter.
Click photo to enlarge
THIRD: Florida Family Association follow up letter on August 29, 2016:
Dear Commissioner Swearingen,
Thank you for your letter dated August 10, 2016 which explains the efforts to combat terrorism in Florida. It is encouraging to know that the FDLE is taking the lead to investigate terrorism given the FBI’s harmful restrictions on investigating mosques and Muslims.
Many people have expressed concern that Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman, left the area and is no longer being investigated. Based upon comments made by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, it appears that the FBI does not know of her whereabouts. Additionally, a DOJ online post reported that a grand jury was established immediately after the Orlando attack to look into Noor Salman’s involvement. However, that post is no longer there.
Noor Salman admitted involvement and knowledge of the attack in Orlando. However, it appears that the federal government is giving her a pass.
Is the FDLE going to fill the void in Noor Salman’s investigation or will she go free sending a dangerous message to future would be terrorists and accomplices?
Sincerely,
David Caton, President
Florida Family Association, Inc.
Florida Family Association plans to follow up again with the FDLE regarding Noor Salman. A new campaign may be launched to urge action on this issue. Hopefully, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will not play the games that the United States Department of Justice appears to be playing regarding a vigorous, unbridled investigation of the Orlando terrorist attack and Noor Salman’s involvement with Omar Mateen.
Florida Family Association invites you to comment on the FDLE commissioner’s letter or any part of this issue. Please send comments, suggestions and questions to davidcaton@floridafamily.org.
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