Article: Are our ports protected?; Critics question value of Coast Guard teams

Patriot Ledger staff and news services

The Coast Guard's most visible counterterrorism forces created in the shadow of Sept. 11 are designed to move to potential trouble spots within 12 hours to help stop terrorist attacks at major ports like Boston. But critics say the units, which get just a month of training and are composed partly of officers with no previous security or law enforcement experience, cannot be expected to prevent terrorism, especially in unfamiliar territory. "Unless someone's coming over the horizon with an invading force, the effectiveness of these teams is going to be limited," Doug Dillon, a retired Coast Guard lieutenant, said. Dillon provided domestic military ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!