Uncommon insight for such a young military person.  I am impressed!

While I agree with Mr. Hughbank that street gangs are domestic terror organizations and that other transnational groups are indeed functioning among us in the "safety" of our cities and neighborhoods, I don't feel that most Americans would agree. 

Mostly, this is a function of them not wanted to see what is going on.  Terrorism is a bad thing, but it would never happen here in Mayberry!  Street gangs are seen as common criminals or troubled youth only searching for the sense of family they never experienced anywhere else.  Terrorist are those like UBL, or other foreign threats.  Americans on the whole have short memories.  The increased security measures resulting from 9-11 are viewed as inconvieniences and perhaps unnecessary.

Until we accept the fact that terrorist are here and will strike again, community policing may be seen as an encroachment upon the rights of the people.  Cops are not, generally, viewed as a welcome presence in many areas.  It is of course, a no win situation--we must convince the people that increased police presence (community policing) is needed, but to do so we have to first put the police into communities that already feel overwhelmed by them.

Flygirl says "that's life."  Well, that is a fact if we let it be.  The point is, we don't need to let it be a fact of life.  It is that very attitude of nonchalance that we must overcome in our loyal citizens if we are to keep America from a terrible fate worse than 9-11-2001. 

As Reptile 7 said, we Americans have short memories.  that is partly true due to our overly liberal news media failing to show the 9-11 aftermath using the excuse of not wanting to offend the sensibilities of American citizens.  Yet, they brought Vietnam into our homes at mealtime and try to do the same thing with Iraq.  It's okay to show the guts of soldiers and marines but we dare not show the blood and fear of the civilian population of the USA!

Another good article!  I can tell that a lot of time went into preparing and gathering the information.  Community Policing is so important.  As a fellow MP in the Army I can attest to the difference it make when we get out of our vehicles and interact with the public.  Being Complaciant is a killer and we as soldiers and Law Enforcement get caught up is that trap that says "I won't happen here".  In this day, we cannot afford to sit in our cars and wait for something to happen, we need to be on the offence. 

Unfortinutely the priorities are not all the same with police agencies and espically with the individual officer.  Take the two bank robbiers in LA a few years back.  Full homemade body armor, coffee cans with hundereds of rounds wrapped up in them to make a belt fed automatic weapon.  9mm rounds just bounced off of these guys.  Where we prepared for only these two guys?  NO! And that was pre 9/11 and LA county was the responding law enforcement.  What would happen if that was multiplied by 10 with all that weaponry and bodyarmor.  We have to better equip law enforcement and get out on the street and out of our vehicles and talk to the public.  Protect and Serve, not sit and wait.