Perkins calls for anti-terror legislation

Erin Neff

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2001 | 8:44 a.m.

President Bush has told Americans to have patience with the war on terrorism because nobody can tell when the scourge will be eradicated.

Although 2003 seems a long way off, that's the first time Nevada lawmakers can meet to address the events of Sept. 11. When the next session of the Legislature adjourns, 9-11 will still be a wake-up call for the state, said Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins.

On Wednesday, Perkins requested anti-terror legislation aimed at preparing the state for terror acts at the same time it adds new crimes to Nevada's statutes and bolsters law enforcement intelligence operations.

"We're going to address our whole civil defense notification system," said Perkins, D-Henderson. "This is something that's really been ignored since the end of the Cold War, but whether we use the old sirens or come up with a new method of communication in these modern times, there's work to be done."

One of the key elements to the proposal will be a requirement that resort hotels file an emergency response plan with the state.

"At any given time these resorts can have 20, 30, 40,000 people inside," Perkins said. "They've got to have a contingency plan in place."

Perkins has asked legislative attorneys to draft a bill that will also bring many of Nevada's laws into conformity with federal laws. The bill would make it a state crime, for example, to make terrorist threats, conduct terrorist hoaxes or aid or abet terrorists.

As deputy police chief in Henderson, Perkins also requested the bill give law enforcement agencies more tools to identify and apprehend terrorists. Although Perkins did not offer specifics about the way he thinks the law should change, he did say he did not want to "unduly infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens."

Perkins said he agrees that "those who sacrifice freedom for security will have neither," and wants to make sure individual rights are protected.

Creating better intelligence opportunities for law enforcement will likely require enhanced training, Perkins said.

"Some of this has to have state money behind it," he said of his proposed legislation.

Over the next several months Perkins plans to meet with officials from law enforcement, public health, business, gaming, the governor's office and residents to discuss other ideas for the legislation.

Perkins, who said he has been contacted by people within Metro Police and in the community about running for sheriff, seems unlikely to seek that position in light of the plans for the 2003 Legislature.

But he said Wednesday that he still has not "totally discounted" a run for sheriff.