Homeland security secrecy discussed

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

Emergency managers and local fire and police officials were scheduled to meet today in Henderson to discuss whether they intend to keep homeland security information secret.

"It's simply a scoping meeting to get input and see what the thoughts are about discussing certain aspects of homeland security in open meetings," Henderson Emergency Manager Mike Cyphers said. "It's not a planning meeting, just a chance for us to talk about it.

"Right now everything is public, but there are things we don't want to fall into the bad guys' hands," Cyphers said. "Equipment specifications and target assessments may be things we don't want out there and available."

Cyphers said he didn't know of any other local homeland planning boards that have gone to closed-door meetings, and also said he didn't know if such a proposal would comply with the Nevada open-meeting law.

Currently homeland security decisions are made by a local emergency planning committee, made up of county, city and federal officials as well as community members. The committee meets publicly and falls under Clark County jurisdiction.

Federal money for homeland defense equipment and training is allocated through the committee.

The committee has been around since 1989 when it was developed to look at what dangerous chemicals were in the county, but it has since taken on homeland security issues, said Cyphers, who serves on the board.

State homeland security director Jerry Bussell, and Nevada FBI Special Agent in charge Ellen Knowlton, were among those invited to today's meeting, Cyphers said. The meeting was proposed by Las Vegas Fire Chief David Washington and Henderson Fire Chief James Cavalieri.