NEW ORLEANS -- U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made a brief stop in New Orleans to speak to more than 1000 law enforcement agents and officers from across the country.
They are participating in the fourth annual National Fusion Center Conference.
The centers give federal, state and local agencies a collaborative platform to assess various threats and respond to crime and terrorism.
"We cannot become complacent," said Holder. "We cannot ignore the unfortunate fact that threats to our people, to our communities and to our national security remain a significant problem."
Holder said fusion centers provided some of the technical support to help identify Najibullah Zazi. Zazi is the Colorado airport shuttle driver who just pleaded guilty in a conspiracy to bomb the New York City subway system.
"This attempted attack on our homeland, it was real," said Holder. "It was in motion. Were it not for the combined efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence communities, it would have been deadly."
U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said fusion centers provide the ultimate in collaboration to help law enforcers connect the dots.
"To prevent acts of terrorism," said Letten. "To carry out community policing. To battle international, organized crime."
Louisiana's fusion center is run by the state police in Baton Rouge.
New Orleans Homeland Security Director Col. Jerry Sneed wants a center in the Crescent City. He said the center would help fight crime and terrorism on the Mississippi River.
"This is an important area throughout the nation," said Sneed. "If something happens to that Mississippi River, it could cause problems throughout the nation. So, our 'all hazards' center will hopefully be able to see things before they take place."
Sneed said federal grants would pay for the fusion center in New Orleans and federal agencies, local police departments and the Coast Guard would have seats at the table.
