By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis County Executive candidate Gene McNary says that while he does not believe the area is a target for terrorists, homeland security would be a priority of his office.
The Republican McNary served as County Executive for fourteen years in the 1970s and 80s.
He says that he used to believe that a terrorist attack could not occur here. "I don't think in those terms anymore," McNary said Wednesday. "You know, I think that every neighborhood is vulnerable. I think that probably the worst thing that we can do is to try to guess where the attack might come."
McNary is calling for a designated radio frequency for police and fire departments, a new director of emergency management, more federal funding for training and a strategy to get information to the county's first responders in case of an emergency.
A spokesman for Democratic incumbent County Executive Charlie Dooley says all of McNary's suggestions are already in place, with the exception of the unified emergency radio system.