fai security guard home alarm system

National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys
12427 Hedges Run Dr. - Ste 104 -Lake Ridge, VA22192-1715
Tel: (800) 455-5661 - Fax: (800) 528-3492
Web: www.naausa.org
February 12,2010
The Honorable H. Marshall Jarrett
Director
Executive Office for United States Attorneys
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 2242
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Marshall:
As you know, on January 4 the Office ofthe Inspector General ofthe Department
of Justice issued a report that found threats against U.S. Attorneys, Assistant United
States Attorneys and federal judges had more than doubled from 2003-2008. In
particular, threats against USAs and AUSAs had increased 26 percent between fiscal
years 2007 and 2008 alone. On the very same day as the OIG report was released, a
deranged gunman shot killed a court security officer and wounded a deputy marshal in
the Las Vegas federal courthouse, adding to the growing list of tragedies in which federal
personnel associated with our federal judicial system have come under armed attack.
That the Inspector General found an increase in threats to AUSAs comes sadly as
no surprise to this association or its members. In June 2008, we shared with the EOUSA
the results of an extensive NAAUSA survey that revealed heightened concern among
AUSAs about their safety. The survey found that almost one of every two AUSAs had
been threatened or assaulted at some point during their tenure as an AUSA. Over eighty
percent of respondents reported that at least one AUSA in their office had been
threatened or assaulted.
Our communication with the EOUSA in June 2008 was not limited to a report of
the survey findings. We also recommended a series of improvements that EOUSA
undertake, based upon the survey fmdings and the earnest requests of survey respondents,
to stem the growing numbers of threats being taken against AUSAs and to provide real
protection to AUSAs and their families. We also requested the start-up of meaningful
discussion between EOUSA and our association to collaborate on improvements. A copy
of my June 23, 2008 letter providing the survey results and the AUSA safety
recommendations is enclosed.
Eighteen months later, especially given the Las Vegas incident, the safety
improvements recommended by NAAUSA to broaden protections for AUSAs and their
families are more critically needed than ever. Secure parking, the most important
security improvement requested by ninety-five percent of the NAAUSA survey
President:
Steven H. Cook
ED of Tennessee
Vice President for Policy:
Vice President for
Robert E. Mydans
Operations and Membership:
District of Colorado
John E. Nordin II
CDof CalifOrnia
Treasurer:
Robert Gay Guthrie
ED of Oklahoma
Secretary:
Rita R. Valdrini
ND of West Virginia
respondents, is no more available in practical terms today to AUSAs than before.
Mandatory safety training of AUSAs and USAO staff has not been ordered. Home alarm
systems for AUSAs who carry high-vulnerability caseloads is no more available, nor
have procedures been streamlined to provide for wider and more expedient firearms carry
authority.
I am certain that you agree that our AUSAs cannot and should not be asked to
serve another day without the commitment of greater protection to them and their
families. We can afford little more delay. I and others in NAAUSA would like to work
cooperatively with you and your staffto secure whatever is required to provide the
resources, tools and assistance to assure greater safety for all AUSAs and their families.
The urgency to do so has never been greater.
As always, thank you for your leadership and your consideration of these views.
Sincerely,
Steven H. Cook
President
NatiolIilal AssociatioIl of Assistant Unlt®d States Attorneys
12427 ledges Run Dr. o 8te 104 Lake Ridge, WA22192-1715
Tel: (800) 455-5661 0 FaI: (800) 528-3492
Web: www.naausa.org
0
Mr. Tim George
Assistant Director for Security Programs
Executive Office for United States Attorneys
United States Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. George:
The National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys recently completed
a survey of AUSAs across the nation to gauge their attitudes regarding the effectiveness
of current security measures and the necessity for additional measures. Nearly 1,300
AUSAs, one-quarter of all AUSAs, completed the survey. As chair of the NAAUSA
Security Committee, I am writing to share the survey results with you and to request that
we engage in discussion at the earliest possible time to discuss the survey findings and
the potential for improvements.
Overall, the NAAUSA security survey revealed heightened concern among
AUSAs about their safety and the desire for additional security measures to better ensure
their protection and that of their families.
The survey revealed that:
• Almost one of every two respondents have been threatened or assaulted at some
point during their tenure as an AUSA.
• Over 80 percent of respondents reported that at least one AUSA in their office
had been threatened or assaulted.
• Secure parking was rated the most important security improvement needed by
95 percent of the survey respondents. More than half of the respondents said that
secure parking should be provided to every AUSA carrying a high-vulnerability
workload, regardless of pre-existing threat.
• Slightly over eighty percent of respondents believed that DOJ should make
training available to all AUSAs on personal security issues (including issues like
home security measures, family safety, mail handling, counter-surveillance and
self-defense tactics). Three-fourth of the respondents said this should be required
on annual basis with the same regularity as applied to sexual harassment training.
• Nearly as many - exactly eighty percent- regarded home alarm systems as a
necessary AUSA security improvement.
President:
Richard L. Delonis
ED of Michigan
Vice President:
Steven H. Cook
ED of Tennessee
Treasurer:
Robert Gay Guthrie
ED of Oklahoma
Secretary:
Rita R. Valdrini
l\JD of West lJirginia
• Eighty percent of the respondents believed that AUSAs who carry high
vulnerability caseloads should be authorized by DOJ to carry firearms, if they so
choose, if they are trained and demonstrate a proficiency in the use of firearms.
Additionally, the survey respondents, when asked to suggest additional security
improvements, (beyond secure parking, home alarms, firearms deputization, or annual
personal security training), also recommended:
• Removing information from local property listings, drivers licenses, etc.
• Requiring the Bureau of Prisons to notify an AUSA of the release of any inmate
who has previously threatened the AUSA.
• Providing escort guards to accompany AUSAs to un-secure parking after-hours.
I am enclosing a summary of the survey results. I look forward to discussing the
findings of the survey and EOUSA's response at the earliest possible time.
Sincerely,
Steven H. Cook
Vice President
Attachment
cc:
Kenneth Melson
Terry Derden
National Association of Assistant
United States Attorneys
Security Survey Results
•
As of March 20, 1240 AUSAs completed the security survey, about 23 percent of all
AUSAs.
•
67% of the completed surveys were from NAAUSA members; more than half the
membership completed the survey.
•
45% of those completing the survey said they or a member of their immediate had
been threatened or assaulted. This percentage varied widely based on how long the
respondent had been an AUSA. The percentage threatened or assaulted by years of
service and other categories follows:
Less than
10 years
10 or more
years
20 years
or more
NAAUSA
Members
Civil
AUSAs
26.5%
53.4%
67%
50%
33%
•
57% of survey respondents said the secure parking should be provided for every
AUSA carrying a high-vulnerability caseload regardless of the existence of pre-existing
threat. This percentage was basically the same across the five groups listed above.
•
80% of survey respondents said that AUSAs who carry high vulnerability caseloads
who demonstrated proficiency in the use of firearms should be authorized to carry a
firearm if they choose to.
Less than
10 years
10 or more
years
20 years
or more
NAAUSA
Members
Civil
AUSAs
80%
84%
70%
82%
72%
•
Question 1 allowed respondents to suggest other security improvements in addition
to secure parking, home alarms, firearms deputization, or annual personal security
training. Among the items suggested more than once were:
Protecting home address/phone records
Removing info from local property listings, drivers licenses, etc.
Requiring BOP to notify AUSA when inmates who have threatened the AUSA are released
More courthouse security
Escort guards to accompany AUSAs to un-secure parking late at night