ATLANTA — The ranking FBI agent in Georgia says a terror attack happening in Georgia is always a concern.
“I think it absolutely could happen here. We're doing everything we can to ensure it doesn't,” said Britt Johnson of the FBI.
“It could happen anywhere." - Britt Johnson of the FBI.
“You have suspected ISIS sympathizers or operatives under investigation in Georgia?” Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked Johnson.
“Absolutely,” Johnson said. “Any time these type incidents occur we become concerned about our homegrown violent extremists or others in the U.S. who may take this as an opportunity to go out and act and do something.” %
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Johnson has the daunting duty of overseeing the multiagency Joint Terrorism Task Force along with everything else the bureau does.
“Do we know of any Georgia connections at this point? Have you been asked to run down any specific leads?” Winne asked Johnson.
“It’s too early to know at this point, but we do have people on the ground who are monitoring the situation, offering any assistance we can to the investigation, and hopefully would identify if there were any threats domestically, that we'd be able to identify those quickly,” Johnson said.
“We ask the public, we ask local law enforcement to provide us with any type of suspicious activity reporting,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jeff Roesler.
Roesler told Winne that the state's terrorism information clearinghouse was sending a bulletin to all state and local public safety agencies in Georgia about the Belgian attacks. %
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“Essentially, be vigilant, be aware of your surround. Be aware of any potential copycat,” Roesler said. “At this point there are no credible threats pertaining to the state of Georgia.”
“It could happen anywhere. That's the message that gets out from all this. It’s often what we don't know that's most concerning,” Johnson said.
In a statement from the Atlanta Police Department, they said:
"Our prayers are with the victims of the senseless attacks in Brussels, Belgium. We are living in a world where we as law enforcement must always be ready for any situation that arises. We have been training our first line responders, our patrol officers, on advanced techniques in the event of a large scale attack and we will continue to prepare our officers for any eventuality. As always, we are working with our federal partners to address and monitor any potential threats. At this time, there are no credible threats to the City of Atlanta."
Belgium attacks renew talk about security on Capitol Hill
The attacks in Brussels Tuesday morning are bringing strong reaction from Capitol Hill.
Channel 2’s George Colli spent the day Tuesday talking with Georgia lawmakers to find out what we can do to make sure a similar attack doesn't happen here.
Several of the lawmakers told Colli they were not surprised by yet another attack against people just going about their day.
“We've got to get together and work together and organize the world and face this evil front on and take it out,” said Rep. David Scott, D-13th District.
“It’s a real tough situation for us and we've got to learn that these guys are serious about doing what they say they are,” said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R- 3rd District.
The attacks on Brussels' airport and metro stations are now renewing talk on Capitol Hill about security at airports and train stations in the U.S.
“It’s an attack against freedom and we have to be aware that the United States is the No. 1 target,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R- 11th District.
“We have got to defeat this enemy. We’ve got (to) quit playing games with them, unite with our allies and defeat these terrorists once and for all,” said Rep. Jody Hice, R- 10th District.
As lawmakers wait for answers, they once again remember victims of the attacks, breaking from votes Tuesday afternoon to hold a moment of silence.
President Obama said from Cuba Tuesday that the U.S. will give Belgium any assistance it needs.
Cox Media Group
