Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Combing Forces: Two States to Share Security Essentials

The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have made it official: Homeland security and law enforcement officials will share unclassified intelligence information state to state. And perhaps eventually expand the effort to other states as well.

The governors of Arizona and New Mexico have made it official: Homeland security and law enforcement officials will share unclassified intelligence information state to state. And perhaps eventually expand the effort to other states as well.

As part of the five-year agreement signed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, each state must set up methods for regularly sharing intelligence and for responding to emergencies. And they must engage in state exercises annually to assess how well information sharing processes are working.

Arizona is in the process of setting up a "fusion" center, the newest buzzword for an intelligence center, to improve intelligence gathering and sharing. The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center will house about 190 people from federal, state, local and tribal governments under one roof, as soon as July. "Consolidating all this and putting it in one place is the key to success," says Frank Navarrete, director of Arizona's Office of Homeland Security.

New Mexico, although not as far along, is doing the same thing with its Border Center of Excellence in Research and Intelligence.

Meanwhile, Arizona approached the Texas Department of Public Safety in April and the department is interested in hearing more about participating in intelligence sharing. All three states have border issues and could use help gathering information on terrorism and criminal threats. Arizona plans to approach California as well.

Arizona and New Mexico already share information but the agreement formalizes their methods.

Special Projects