Counter-Terrorism A Top Priority Says NJ Attorney General

New Jersey’s top law enforcement official testified before the Assembly Budget Committee today. State Attorney General Jeff Chiesa says his department will always focus significant resources on problems like public corruption, violent street gangs, drug and weapons traffic, financial fraud, organized crime and more, but, “Consistent with our mission, we’ll also continue working to protect the citizens of New Jersey from terrorist attacks.”

According to Chiesa, the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) leads that effort through the allocation of millions of dollars in homeland security grants, strengthening response capabilities and other means to make communities less vulnerable to terrorism.

“One of our most vital missions in a post-September-11 world remains the protection of New Jersey’s communities, its critical infrastructure and, most importantly its people against the threat of terror,” explains Chiesa. “I assure you we take this mission very seriously.”

OHSP manages a comprehensive counter-terrorism program that has trained more than 6,500 first-responders and 1,500 private sector participants.