United States Attorney Co-Sponsors State And Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) On Guam And The NMI (Amended)

Alicia A. G. Limtiaco, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), announced today that after a year of planning, the State and Local AntiTerrorism Training (SLATT) Program has finally come to the Marianas. With the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Program, two instructors from the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) were on Guam April23 to 24, 2013, and will be in the NMI on April25 to 26,2013, to conduct the SLATT workshops to law enforcement, hotel and private security, military anti-terrorism personnel and other community leaders. Over 160 individuals attended the training in Guam and about 150 have registered to attend in Saipan.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder presented a special message addressing the SLATT participants and thanking them for their efforts to safeguard our communities in Guam and the NMI, and our nation.

"April is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. We observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and for all victims of terrorism, and their families; and for our Fallen Soldiers who through their commitment and sacrifice continue to protect the freedoms exercised by all Americans," stated U.S. Attorney Limtiaco.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco further stated, "As part of our Secure Communities partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Attorney's Office has been collaborating with the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance Program and Institute for Intergovernmental Research, Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense, and Commonwealth ofthe Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to bring the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) program to Guam and the CNMI. At this training, community partners have the opportunity to discuss domestic terrorism, international terrorism, indicators of terrorism, and the Suspicious Activity Community Program, which promotes law enforcement safety and de-confliction, and provides assistance to our federal, military and local law enforcement partners and the Marianas Regional
Fusion Center -- recently designated as the 781 h fusion center in the nation, in preventing, reducing and combating some of the most concerning threats to our national security."

"Since 9/11, there have been extraordinary and unprecedented efforts taken to keep America safe - including those by our own sons and daughters of the Pacific who serve in the military, as law enforcement, in the intelligence community, and as first responders. We also know that there is more work that must be done. Meeting these public safety and national security challenges of the 21st Century will require us to identify new enforcement strategies, to forge new partnerships, and to provide more support for our law enforcement communities. Our people in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and our Pacific island neighbors are resilient. Terrorists aim to instill fear in our people, and to overturn our way of life. Just as earlier generations of Americans overcame great tests, so must we draw on the resilience of the American people to overcome the challenges of our time. Our communities are capable of
withstanding whatever dangers may come. Today, threats from terrorists and extremists continue against our nation and the Asia-Pacific region. Our work against terrorism cannot be done without the continued involvement, leadership, vigilance and partnership of our community stakeholders," said U.S. Attorney Limtiaco.

U.S. Attorney Limtiaco gave special thanks to the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense and the CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management for their assistance in planning the training and for securing the venues for this important training.