HSAC Teleconference 09-16-10

DHS announced in today’s Federal Register that the Homeland Security Advisory Committee (HSAC) would be hosting a teleconference to review the latest report of the Southwest Border Task Force (SWBTF) that will include findings and recommendations for future actions made by that Task Force. Public participation is provided for in this notice, though there is no description of the limits of that participation. This is a follow-up to their report from last year.

Members of the public wishing to participate must register by submitting full legal name, email address and phone number to the HSAC via e-mail at HSAC@dhs.gov or via phone at (202) 447-3135 by September 14th. Access details will be provided to those registrants.

Trans-border IED Attacks

I keep hoping that someone looking at security issues associated with the border with Mexico will look at the potential problems with railcar loads of hazardous chemicals that come northward across that border on a regular basis. There are no requirements for detailed checks of TIH containing railcars for potential improvised explosive devices until they are switched to another rail carrier or arrive at their destination. In fact, the current automated railroad security inspections take place while trains are moving at 5 to 10 MPH according to last year’s SWBTF report.

With the increasing drug cartel violence in the northern Mexican border states, the potential increases every day for the cartels to retaliate against the US for our assistance to the Mexican government in their counter-cartel campaign. Attaching IED’s to these railcars would provide a high profile response.