Portland, Or., Mayor Tom Potter’s push to pry open the files of federal investigations and yank Portland officers from a controversial anti-terrorism task force has sparked swift responses, the Oregonian reports. Oregon U.S. Attorney Karin J. Immergut issued a three-page letter and the chief FBI agent in Oregon, Robert Jordan, declared, “I believe the greatest threat to public safety is terrorism.” said Robert Jordan, the FBI’s top officer in Oregon. Jordan said conditions pushed by Potter and Commissioner Randy Leonard are “simply not feasible or reasonable.” No other mayor has been granted the top-secret clearance that Potter wants, he said.
Flanked by eight stone-faced law enforcement officials, Jordan said the plan would “effectively mean the withdrawal” of Portland officers from the task force. Without a compromise, it appears Portland will become the only city in the country to pull out of the anti-terror teams. There are 100 teams. The controversy comes less than four years after Portland police drew national attention for refusing to help federal anti-terrorism investigations after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Jordan offered one concession” He’s willing to allow Police Chief Derrick Foxworth to apply for top-secret clearance.
Link: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1111661841255730.xml