STORM2K

Orlando officials never raised the local terror alert when they were instructed to by administration. Sherriff says there was no reason to be on higher alert and that he was saving taxpayers money by not raising it.

Well BS.. i dont want know cowboy thinking he knows better than the Goverment. If they say we need to be in elevated well then dam it, you do so...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- As the nation's terror alert level remains at high, Orange County officials are defending their decision not to raise the local readiness level.


Although, local theme parks have been identified in the past as potential terror targets, Orange County Chairman Rich Crotty said security has not been compromised, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

Administrators said the move saved taxpayers more than $300,000 in extra fire-rescue and security expenses in the last 10 days alone.

"Do we have structures that symbolize our great country, like Cinderella's castle? I suppose you could make that case, but there was no specific threat that warranted the raising of that level," Crotty said.

I agree Chad, this sets a dangerous precedence and doesn't set a very good example for the area. I wouldn't suggest slapping the sheriff though :o

That's all terrorists need to do is see a weak link like that. They are watching and are patient, we've seen that.

Orlando may not have a symbolic structure, but they have something else ... a lot of people gathered in one place. Bummer we all have to live like this.

Safety is a tricky issue for folks to agree upon.

On one hand, you want things to be as safe as possible.
Preventing harm and damage, and being able to handle, as best as possible, situations where one or both have occured.

On the other, you don't want to give up your freedoms.
To say what you want, and believe what you want, and not have your rights or privacy violated.

While there is no "right" or "wrong" place on this continuum of priorities, there is an underlying point to be made here.

I want you to ask yourself the following question:

How safe is safe enough?

Military planes flying constantly over landmarks and populated areas?
Armed guards on every streetcorner?
Monitoring all financial transactions of non-citizens?
Implanted tracking devices on all foreign visitors?
Intensive background checks for all people crossing into the US?
Intensive scrutiny and searching of all freight that crosses into the US?
Having all of the above occur for ALL US Citizens...?

What will it take for you to feel safe...?

And are YOU willing to foot the bill to make these things happen...?

- gator.

And are YOU willing to foot the bill to make these things happen...?

Absolutley

I do not know the in's and out's of the American political system, but surley if an order was issued from the president, a loley sherif does not have the power to ignore it? I think that was very stupid thing to do, especially when DISNEY is a very big symbol of America. If you say to someone in SA or London have you heard of Disney, they are going to say Yes, on the other hand I never knew about the world trade center before I moved here.

Bring that sheriff here to me Chad so I can kick his dumb ol ass.!

Ohh, but, Chad....

...you know that your local government doesn't want to
"frighten the people"....right??? (*sarcasm!) :o

That is a bunch of crap. He needs to follow instructions. I hope he finds himself out of a job soon.

Garrett

Yeh i heard the white house lowered them b/c corporations did not want to be liable for providing extra security at their expense. Sad but true it seems.

Homeland security is important and everyone should follow what the federal government tells us to do.

HOWEVER, the federal government needs to show the local governments the money in order to make sure that we are ready if God forbid anything does happen. It's easy to create news rules and regulations, but it also takes the almighty $$$ to fund them. we'll be paying for it one way or another. Maybe that surplus would've served us better if it was left alone.

Yeh its pretty hard since many state and local economies are down the tubes. Our state budget has really been sufferering for about a year and a half now :|

I agree with breeze, fire the idiot

Johnathan

Well isn't he an elected official? Unelect (impeach) him. Bye-Bye, so sad, you're GONE!!!!!!!!!! :bad-words:

The money argument doesn't really work. Law enforcement officials are paid to take care of us and that INCLUDES homeland security. I realize that it costs a lot of money and the administration has not shown them the money, but to not increase security AT ALL is risky, inappropriate, and unintelligent!

Garrett

All that needs to be done with this sheriff is for any person or group who has first-hand knowledge of his "malfeasance" to file a writ of certiorari with the State Attorney General; this office will "pull" his badge and disarm him, pending investigation which could lead to removal and criminal charges.

I had to do this once with an out-of-control, gun-happy "town marshal"...I know whereof I speak.

Nice to know something can be done like that Streetsoldier. And I am assuming that the sherrif talked to the press, which was stupid.

Garrett :23: