PORTLAND, ME – Joined by federal law enforcement officials and local emergency first responders from across Maine, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today convened a security roundtable at the Portland Police Department to discuss coordination between local and federal law enforcement to combat terrorism at home. During the discussion, Senator King also announced his support for Congressional efforts to help state and local officials keep Americans safe by providing them with increased federal resources for training and support.

“Maine’s law enforcement officials and first responders are some of the best, working on the frontlines day in and day out to keep us safe,” Senator King said. “And today’s roundtable was a great opportunity to hear from them directly about what more Congress can do to support their efforts and build on the strategies they have in place with federal agencies. At the end of the day, local police and fire chiefs know how to best protect our communities, and I look forward to working in Congress to empower them with the tools and resources they need to do that.”

The security roundtable today at the Portland Police Department brought together federal law enforcement officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Customs and Border Control Agency, and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for Maine, with local police, fire, and other emergency first responders from across the state, to discuss how they can continue to work in close coordination to build on strategies that help keep Mainers safe.

It also provided Senator King, who moderated the discussion, with the opportunity to hear about the challenges faced by local law enforcement and how Congress could take action to help them. To that end, Senator King announced his support for efforts in Congress aimed at providing grants to law enforcement agencies for antiterrorism programs and for community partnerships that combat homegrown extremism or the recruitment or radicalization of those living in the U.S.

Senator King will continue the discussion tomorrow as he heads to Bangor to cap his two day security tour with another roundtable at the Bangor Fire Station. Senator King will take the lessons of both discussions and return to Washington next week to explore what other steps can be taken to support Maine law enforcement and first responders as they work to keep people safe.

For a complete list of officials who attended today’s discussion, click HERE.

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