By KBIA
Columbia, MO. – A newly appointed advisory council wants to establish a 24-hour homeland security hub in Missouri.
Governor Matt Blunt formed the 17-member panel to look at ways to improve state and local security plans and provide advice on how to handle federal funds. The panel met for the first time Wednesday.
Council member Mick Covington, a former police officer, says the state needs to concentrate more on preventative measures.
"The need to be able to gather and garner and glean information and get it out to those individuals who need it in a timely fashion will go a long way, I think, in not only responding to the threats, but hopefully preventing the threats," Covington said.
The council says Missourians have no need to worry about any current threats but should still remain alert.