Fusion Center working to detect potential terror threats in RI
By: Melissa Randall
@MRandallABC6
The recent terror in Belgium and Paris has the world on edge, and the U.S. is not immune to the threats. The events that unfolded in San Bernardino and Boston are not so distant reminders of that. And then there was the terror arrest in Warwick, Rhode Island just last summer.
“We had someone who had been radicalized sitting in their neighborhood and that person was arrested luckily before they could act out,” said Col. Steven O’Donnell, head of the Rhode Island State Police.
While that particular suspect was stopped Col. O’Donnell says there could be other copy cats, or ISIS sympathizers still out there.
“[They] tap into a small group of people– and it only has to be a few– that are disenchanted with the government or they may have some mental health issues and they decide this is the route they want to take and they get radicalized through social media,” explained Col. O’Donnell.
To combat the problem the state has what’s called a ‘Fusion Center.’ That’s where law enforcement from Homeland Security, the FBI and State Police are constantly working together to detect potential threats. Many of the leads they investigate come straight from the community.
“It is critical that people pick up the phone and call us. They don’t have to worry about the person answering the phone saying this is nonsense. 99 out of 100 may not pan out to anything, but that one time may be really important,” said O’Donnell.
There are several red flags people should keep an eye out for. Unusual activity includes multiple people meeting, people being suspicious including if you approach and they walk away, among thousands of other scenarios. The general rule to follow is if you see something, say something.
In case of an emergency dial 911. Otherwise, tips can be called into 866-490-TIPS or 444-1117.
© WLNE-TV 2016
