08.08.02

Cantwell requests more federal anti-terrorism resources for Washington state

Senator meets with Washington state's top federal law enforcement officials

SEATTLE, WA - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today requested additional federal law enforcement resources for anti-terrorism efforts in Washington state from the White House and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Cantwell announced her request after meeting in her Seattle office with Washington state's top federal law enforcement officials, including FBI Special Agent in Charge Charlie Mandigo, U.S. Attorney John McKay, U.S. Attorney Jim McDevitt, and U.S. Marshal Eric Robertson. Today's meeting follows up on last month's Senate hearing in which Cantwell originally asked Ashcroft for additional resources, which he said he would consider.

"Federal officials in Washington state have done an excellent job with the resources they have," Cantwell said. "But to protect Washington's long-term security, we need to provide our law enforcement officers the tools they need to get their job done."

Cantwell said she would formally request additional resources in three different areas:

FBI agents: Cantwell requested 40 to 60 new FBI field agents, a 35 to 50 percent increase over the 120 currently in the state. The cost is estimated to be between $4 and $8 million annually. U.S. Attorneys: Cantwell requested four to five additional U.S. Attorneys. Washington state currently has 144 federal prosecutors. Local law enforcement: Cantwell requested administration support for renewal of the federal COPS grant program which funds newly hired police officers for three years. Washington state localities have hired nearly 2,000 officers under the program, which expires this year. The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the proposal. Washington state ranks 36th in the nation in FBI agents per capita. Massachusetts, with a population roughly equal to Washington state's, has 50 percent more FBI agents per capita than Washington state. Moreover, while Washington state has only two-thirds the number of FBI agents as Massachusetts, according to the FBI, Seattle's "Crime Index" is nearly 25 percent higher than Boston's. States such as Hawaii and New Mexico have nearly three times the number of agents per capita as Washington.

Special Agent Mandigo said he had no information to suggest Washington was more of a target for terrorists than other states, but he expressed concern that, because of its sea, air, and land ports, it could be used as an entry point or pathway for terrorists seeking to attack targets elsewhere. Both Cantwell and Mandigo praised FBI agents in Washington state for working long hours and performing at the highest level, but said that with time the heavy schedules would catch up with agents and that more resources were needed.

Cantwell is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Terrorism and Technology and Subcommittee on Crime.