Homeland chief touts 'network of shared responsibility'

Inside the city's emergency response center in Downtown Brooklyn, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke about the need for a focused, community-based approach to counterterrorism.

"New Yorkers are always thinking ahead of what could happen," she said to an audience of first response officials including police commissioner Ray Kelly, fire commissioner Salvatore Cassano and representatives from utility, transit, first aid and law enforcement agencies. Several dozen city staffers also filled the room, where large television screens showing the Brooklyn Bridge hung overhead.

Napolitano referred to the building's very existence as a reminder of the terrorist attacks, because the former Office of Emergency Operations, located in 7 World Trade Center, was destroyed.

"You - we - are the very backbone of the nation's homeland security," she said. The federal agency has emphasized "interconnectedness and mutual responsibility" from the watchful citizen up to law enforcement, she said.

The mission is to be "first preventers as well as first responders," she said. With more American residents becoming involved in terrorist plots, Napolitano said, citing the foiled Times Square and subway bombing plots, the agency has to evolve with the "more and more sophisticated attacks."

The MTA's "see something, say something" campaign has been exported to other cities, Amtrak and sporting events including the U.S. Open, she said. But the government "cannot guarantee there will not be another successful attack," she said. "We will do everything in our power to prevent attacks."

With the "network of shared responsibility," she said, "we will build and be a part of a bigger, stronger, better team."