When more people move to cities, urbanization has a significant impact on citizen security. New York City is one of the US cities dealing with insecurity issues such as organized crime, human trafficking, kidnappings, and terrorism. Throughout the city, there are also concerns of race and ethnicity, with minorities complaining of various sorts of persecution, such as unfair arrests. Homicides and shootings are also on the rise, which is causing concern among locals. Other criminal acts noted by police in the city that make citizens fearful are robberies with violence. The NYC has a bad reputation of being crime-ridden with various crimes such as felony, rape, larceny, misuse of firearms, possession of stolen property, manslaughter, and many others according to the 2015 reports (William, 2015). Those arrested are mostly from the minority races such as Hispanics and black American.
The Intelligence Community of the United States
The Intelligence Community of the United States is large and organized to operate various laws, executive orders, directives, policies, and other aspects. The role of the IC is provision of relevant information in a timely manner to the United States policymakers, air fighters, and decision-makers. The officers deal with tasking, collection, processing, analyzing, and dissemination of intelligence to the parties concerned with implementation of security measures in the nation (Office of the director of National Intelligence, 2017). Their work depends on the departments, which include the air force, army, defense, coast guard, and central intelligence. These participate in gathering relevant information for analysis to determine the security state in the nation. Others include department of energy, homeland security, department of state, and drug enforcement administration among others. Each of the units is required to carry out its functions with full commitment and ensure security of American citizens.
The problems that require assistance from the IC
The problems that require assistance from the IC include organized crime in which gangs terrorize residents leading to loss of property and lives. Some of the gangs engage in criminal activities such as drug abuse, robbery with violence, kidnappings, and rape among others. The other problem is that of terrorism since the IC can gather information on planned attacks and channel it to other departments for action (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2009). In addition, the IC can help in fighting human trafficking by investigating cases of planned kidnaps and ambushing criminals before they accomplish their missions. The problems, which the IC may not offer assistance, include misuse of firearms, and possession of stolen property, which departments and the police can handle these crimes as they happen.
The information to be received
The information to be received includes intelligence clues on planned crimes such as robbery with violence. Before a group goes on a mission to rob a bank or other institutions, the members meet and organize on how to carry out the crime. The IC will be able to investigate this and alert the relevant personnel before the crime is executed. Another type of information to receive is on planned terrorism activity, which will help in preventing the occurrence of crime by putting the right measures. The IC can investigate the planned activities by suspected terror groups and inform the other departments to take measures (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2009). Again, the IC can give information on kidnappers and their hideouts, which will be vital in rescuing kidnapped individuals. In addition, the information will prevent the criminals from extorting money from the citizens for release of their relatives.
Intelligence information requires careful handling
Intelligence information requires careful handling by the security personnel and should not be revealed to unauthorized parties. The limitations of this include breakdown of communication in which some agencies such as the police fail to access information on time. This reduces their effectiveness and exposes the country to attacks if no action is taken. In addition, criminals take advantage of such security controls to commit the planned crime since the security personnel are caught unprepared. However, security control is very important since it helps in limiting the number of people accessing intelligence information. For instance, anything on terrorism must be handled with care to avoid leaking the vital information to terrorists or their allies, as they are likely to change tactics. Securing intelligence information is quite sensitive and must not land in the hands of the wrong people who may betray the government (Military Intelligence Information, 2017). Confidentiality is also highly valued since it allows the IC to share intelligence information with only authorized parties.
The Intelligence community performs several functions
The Intelligence community performs several functions and is a product of the Cold War since it was created and developed during the time (Federation of American Scientists, 1996). The IC community has played a big role in supporting the military. IC plays an important role in the US security today same way it did during the Cold war by spying on the enemies. The current IC has been reformed to carryout functions related to the recent threats such as terrorism and other transnational threats. The same way it was able to gather information about nations intending to attack the US the current IC must do the same to detect planned attacks.
The two gaps in my needs
The two gaps in my needs include additional knowledge of the regulations by the Federal government related to the IC operations and knowledge of the architecture of the IC and its ability to detect intended crime.
References
Federation of American Scientists (1996). The Evolution of The U.S. Intelligence Community: An Historical Overview. Retrieved from http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/int022.html
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (2017). Members of the IC: Retrieved from https://www.dni.gov/index.php/intelligence-community/members-of-the-ic
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (2009). U.S. Defence Intelligence Strategy, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=486157
Military Intelligence Professional. (2017). Bulletin: http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/army/mipb/index.html
William J., 2015). Crime and Enforcement Activity in New York City
