Security & Insecurity

(11/14/11) Last week, the New York Civil Liberties Union and other groups released a report criticizing the US Border Patrol for its activities along the Canadian border. Federal agents regularly stop and questions motorists as well as passengers on trains and buses as far as a hundred miles away from the the nearest border, raising questions about civil liberties.

The Border Patrol declined NCPR's request for an interview, but sent a statement saying that officers are constantly changing their methods in order to "manage risk and mitigate threats." According to the statement, many of the so-called "transportation checks" are based on intelligence, and not random.

Following release of the report, Brian Mann sat down with Congressman Bill Owens. Owens' district includes much of the border, from Lake Champlain in the east to Lake Ontario in the West.

(09/15/11) US Attorney General Eric Holder was in Lake Placid yesterday speaking at the Northern Border Summit. He told the gathering of Federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials that more needs to be done to stop smuggling and other criminal activity on the US-Canada border. Brian Mann has details.

(09/12/11) One of the uncomfortable truths about the terror attacks on 9/11 is that some families have carried a far greater burden during the months and years that followed.

The Olsen family, from Saranac Lake, have spent much of the last decade separated; Chaplain Eric Olsen first mobilized for ground zero, then for war in Iraq.

In a special documentary production, Brian Mann tells Eric Olsen's story, as well as how 9/11 shaped the lives of Susan Olsen, and their sons Garth and Evan.

(09/12/11) As the nation marked the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, yesterday, a formal ceremony was held at Ft. Drum to remember the victims and the 10 years of military action that followed that day's events.

The morning ceremony took place outside the post's Mark W. Clark Hall, where a monument memorializes 9/11. Joanna Richards was there and has the story. more

(09/12/11) Military families have carried a heavy burden since 9/11, with many military service members serving multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Ten years after the attacks, Joanna Richards spoke with Fort Drum soldiers and their families about their thoughts on service in the post-9/11 world. more

(09/09/11) In the years since the September 11 attacks, life has changed along the U.S. - Canadian border. What used to be an informal crossing, has become militarized, and its changed the lives and expectations of people who live nearby. Julie Grant takes a look back at some of ways life has changed along the border, and whether it's making Americans safer. more

(09/07/11) Governor Cuomo unveiled a new state flag to memorialize the New Yorkers and others who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers. He says the flag will be flown at the memorial site in lower Manhattan as well as at the State Capitol. Karen DeWitt reports.

(06/24/11) A day after addressing the nation about his plans for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, President Barack Obama came to visit Fort Drum.

The Army post has carried a heavy burden of the fighting in that country and in Iraq. The 10th Mountain Division's headquarters, including its commander, General James Terry, are currently leading coalition forces in southern Afghanistan. Todd Moe reports. more

(06/23/11) Last night, President Obama unveiled a plan to withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of the summer, and another 20,000 soldiers by the end of next summer. That accounts for the troop surge Obama began two years ago.

Obama's first stop to sell his new Afghanistan strategy is this afternoon at Fort Drum near Watertown. The President will meet with soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division and with families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Fort Drum's been involved in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning. And as David Sommerstein reports, soldiers don't see their roles changing much yet. more

(05/03/11) Governor Andrew Cuomo says there is heightened security at "critical infrastructure" in New York City and New York State, following the capture and death of Osama bin Laden. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details: more