PARTNERS The Ohio Department of Public Safety s Division

PARTNERS The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Division of Ohio Homeland Security (OHS) recognized the need for involving multiple agencies and disciplines in a comprehensive effort to protect Ohio’s northern border. This is a collaborative approach to the security of Ohio’s Northern border and is being developed and coordinated by the Ohio Department of Public Safety through the following partners: ODPS Division of Homeland Security ODPS Ohio State Highway Patrol Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy Ohio Department of Administrative Services • Ohio Chiefs of Police Association • Ohio Crime Prevention Association • Ohio National Guard The NBI is a collaborative law enforcement approach to an area of tremendous consequence regionally and nationally. Geographically, demographically and logistically challenging for law enforcement and the spectrum of Homeland Security stakeholders, the solution to the security of the area relies on the experience and expertise of multiple agencies and jurisdictions. • • • • • • The involvement of citizens is imperative to the NBI. Law enforcement resources obviously cannot cover all aspects of the area’s threats, therefore, it is important to always be alert and aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the Ohio Homeland Security Tipline at 877-OHS-INTEL (877-647-4683). Boaters and anglers on Lake Erie are encouraged to participate in America’s Waterways Watch Program (www.americaswaterwaywatch.org) to report suspicious activities they observe on the water and around harbors, marinas and beaches. Northern BoforderNorthern Border Initiative Security and Safety Ohio’s DE P ENT OF PU BL TM R I A C F SA OHIO NORTHER ORDER I N NB ET Y ATIVE ITI DE P A NT OF PU ME BL RT I C F SA OHIO NORTHER ORDER I N NB ET Y ATIVE ITI IO HO ME L AND SE I UR C Ted Strickland, Governor Henry Guzmán, Director www.publicsafety.ohio.gov HLS 0067 11/07 TY H O IO HO MEL I R CU AND SE TY O H DE P A NT OF PU ME BL RT I C F SA OHIO NORTHER N BORDER IN ET Y ATIVE ITI IO HO INTRODUCTION The United States and Canada share a lengthy international border through rugged mountains, farm lands, forests, cities and the Great Lakes. Ohio’s own international border with Canada stretches 158 miles through the middle of Lake Erie. Summertime on Lake Erie brings millions of tourists, boaters and fishermen to the water, possibly facilitating prohibited illegal activity across the border. Currently, there are few restrictions to travel between the U. S. and Canada other than voluntary compliance with U.S. Customs and Immigration laws. The Lake Erie region is central to a wide variety of diverse, yet interrelated, interests: • Major commercial overland routes and Great Lakes shipping enhance and support one another, forming one of the nation’s most vital industrial and transportation centers. • Major rail lines of CSX Transportation, Norfolk and Southern Railways, at least three regional lines and a direct line of the Canadian National Railway terminate in Toledo, making rail traffic in this area one of the highest per mile in the country. ME L AND SE CU • The metropolitan areas of Detroit, Michigan; Windsor, Canada; Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio account for nearly five million people. An influx of approximately 250,000 visitors to the western basin on any given weekend adds to that number. • While the Lake Erie region is a tremendous resource for commerce, recreation and fresh water, the unsecured maritime border and associated shoreline also creates a target of opportunity for terrorist and other criminal activities. The potential for terrorist attacks, natural, man-made or accidental disasters is obviously increased by this largely unsupervised international border. Emergency services must consolidate equipment, manpower and privately held assets to meet the demanding challenge of protecting this unique area. As it’s the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s mission to educate, serve and protect, the Division of Homeland Security is coordinating this effort. PURPOSE 1. The principle goal of the Northern Border Initiative (NBI) is to protect Ohio and the United States by developing the resources and capabilities to effectively protect Lake Erie and its waterfront from a terrorist incursion or operation, illegal smuggling of goods, people and drugs. These efforts will effectively increase the security and safety of the international boundary between the United States and Canada. 2. The NBI will serve as a visible presence to deter the use of the lake as a crossborder conduit for illegal activities. The NBI will accomplish that deterrence through the use of an all–partners approach to law enforcement actions, increasing public confidence in the security of the international border. 3. Reporting of cross-board excursions by boat owners to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will increase with the NBI establishment of a strong law enforcement presence on the lake. TY I R O H