WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, held a hearing focusing on the relationship between all levels of law enforcement in the maritime environment in the post-9/11 era. Miller questioned the panel of witnesses on their levels of cooperation, from first responders to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other partnerships, to assist in securing the international waterways. Sheriff Tim Donnellon, St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, Michigan testified before the subcommittee regarding his sheriff office’s focus on utilizing all levels of law enforcement partnerships to leverage the security needs of the region.

“Maritime security is a team effort and securing our coastal waterways is just as important as the northern and southern borders. Local law enforcement is a critical component to ensure our nation’s maritime borders are secure,” Miller said. “In my Congressional District alone, CBP Air and Marine and the USCG have overlapping responsibilities within 12 Nautical Miles of the coast. We want to make sure that they are not duplicating their efforts, working well together and leveraging local partnerships. The Operational Integration Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a prime example where local law enforcement works hand-in-hand with CBP and the USCG. St. Clair Sheriff Donnellon testified about the great working relationship his department has with CBP and USCG, and I believe that the cooperation and collaboration that takes place in our region can be a model used nationwide.”

“St. Clair Sheriff’s Office has a cooperative partnership with USCG and CBP in the surrounding maritime environment, as well as other law enforcement partners,” Sheriff Donnellon said. “Particularly with the use of the Stonegarden grant we are able provide law enforcement within areas of St. Clair County, on land or water, where we otherwise might not be able to receive direct patrol coverage. We strive to see our local-federal partnerships continue and flourish.”

“Adequate security along the nation’s coast is vital to ensure the free flow of commerce requiring a whole of government approach to facilitate maritime trade while enhancing our security. In a time of constrained budgets and limited resources we cannot afford to have wasteful and duplicative efforts by different levels of government. The American people rightly demand that we stretch hard-earn taxpayer dollars to get the most bang for the buck,” Miller concluded.

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