Homeland Security’s fusion centers show the dangers of mission creep

A new report sheds light on the proliferation of fusion centers across the U.S. Frida Ghitis: These tools operate without meaningful checks and without meaningful transparency or checks.

She says fusion centers were intended to serve as hubs capable of sharing information to help prevent future terrorist attacks.

Ghitis says New Jersey fusion center has resurrected the discredited theory of “broken windows” policing.

As the U.S. Supreme Court has explained, an informed citizenry is “vital to the functioning of a democratic society.” If citizens want to ensure that vast new surveillance tools like fusion centers remain accountable, they must know more about how they are operating. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed..