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After attending the National Sheriffs’ Association Conference in Washington, D.C., Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones shared alarming insights from FBI officials about the imminent threat of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, according to the Journal News.
“It’s not if they are going to attack, it’s just when they are,” Jones stated.
“There are people already here who have come to this country who hate us and want to kill us,” Jones warned in the wake of discussions at the conference, where the FBI highlighted the sophisticated nature of the new generation of terrorists, including their potential to use cyberattacks to disrupt critical infrastructure.
Jones revealed the daily cyberattack attempts his office faces, with five from China, three from Iran and past hacks from Russia, underscoring the widespread cyber threat.
“The Chinese have the U.S. outnumbered 50 to 1 in people working on cyberattacks and prevention,” he noted.
The FBI’s briefing also pointed out the significant number of terrorists that have crossed the border with intentions to harm the United States.
“They told us we need to be prepared to talk to local county election people to be prepared. They want us to lose faith in our government,” Jones conveyed, indicating the broad scope of the threats, including interference in national and local elections.
In response to these threats, Jones has taken proactive measures to ensure his department’s readiness. All cruisers in his department will now be equipped with AR-15s and extra ammunition. Additionally, he has advocated for legislative changes in Ohio to allow felony charges against illegal immigrants and called for the appointment of a state cybersecurity czar to protect against terrorist cyberattacks.
Jones also highlighted the importance of local law enforcement and the community in preparing for and responding to these threats. A training class titled “When Disaster Strikes: Prepare, Act, Survive” is scheduled for May, aiming to educate citizens on disaster preparedness, survival, and search and rescue operations following a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
“The terrorists are here, we have already been told that, from 160 countries that want to do us harm,” Jones cautioned, urging both law enforcement and the public to prepare for the inevitable.
