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Attorney General
Rob McKenna Meets Today
With U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
Attorney General Rob
McKenna will be meeting today with U.S. Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales to discuss legal and law enforcement issues facing the
state of Washington– specifically gangs, methamphetamine and
identity theft.”
“The serious legal and law enforcement issues facing our state today
call for a cooperative law enforcement approach,” McKenna said.
“Today’s meeting is a critical part of that process.”
McKenna traveled to Washington, D.C. for the face-to-face talks as
part of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) annual
spring meeting, held March 5-7 in Washington, D.C.
Forty-six of the nation’s Attorneys General gathered for collective
discussions on federal and state approaches to homeland security,
combating illegal drugs—especially methamphetamine, consumer
protection issues, and rising gang activity.
“This dialogue is important for me and my colleagues across the
country who are increasingly concerned about maintaining homeland
security and protecting the public,” McKenna said.
“Discussions among states and with our federal counterparts are
crucial as the law enforcement issues state Attorneys General face
are without borders,” McKenna said. “For example, it is alarming to
see the rise in methamphetamine-related arrests where children are
present and exposed to this drug, when the long-term physiological
effects of second-hand inhalation are not yet known.”
Meth contributes to Washington having the second highest number of
overall property crimes nationwide.
“We’re concerned about continuing or increasing federal funding for
many state and local law enforcement programs,” Attorney General Rob
McKenna said. “Education and training are desperately needed for law
enforcement and state government to be able to effectively address
these issues.”
McKenna has a history of working closely with the US Attorney’s
office to address criminal issues in Washington. Recent activities
include:
* The head of the AGO Spokane Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has
been cross-deputized to work with the US Attorney’s Office on fraud
cases in Eastern Washington.
* In September, McKenna joined former US Attorney John McKay
at a news conference announcing increased emphasis on “insiders” in
the fight against identity theft.
* Also in September, the Attorney General’s Office and the US
Department of Justice co-sponsored the Pacific Rim Meth Summit where
McKenna led a panel on the regional meth problem. |
