Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-San Bernardino) recently introduced H.R. 6126, the Preventing Radical Extremists’ Violent Endeavors Now and Tomorrow (PREVENT) Act of 2018, a bill to help local law enforcement agencies identify, prevent and respond to potential domestic terror incidents. The bill would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide experts in law enforcement, psychology and social work to state and local governments for the purpose of mitigating the threats of domestic terror and homegrown violent extremism.

“Our community knows all too well the devastation that an act of domestic terror can cause,” said Rep. Aguilar. He continued, “After the attack on the Inland Regional Center, it became clear that we need to codify the relationship between our local law enforcement agencies and their federal counterparts. I’m proud to introduce this bill to help ensure that the resources of the United States Government are effectively distributed to prevent another unspeakable tragedy like the one we suffered in San Bernardino.”

“The City of San Bernardino unfortunately knows the huge impact that terroristic events can have on communities. Although it is never something any community should have to experience, it is a reality that we cannot allow ourselves to ignore. With that, the San Bernardino Police Department very much appreciates any assistance made available by our State and Federal partners. This type of education has the ability to better prepare law enforcement personnel and community members alike should a terrorism related incident occur and to take any and all measures to prevent it before it has the opportunity to take place,” said Chief Jarrod Burguan of the San Bernardino Police Department.   

Since an act of domestic terrorism took the lives of fourteen Inland Empire residents and left twenty-two injured in 2015, Rep. Aguilar has been a committed advocate for the victims of the attack and has worked to prevent future attacks in the United States. Last year, the REPORT Act, Rep. Aguilar’s bill to increase cooperation between federal law enforcement agencies and Congress in order to better prepare for and respond to future threats, passed the House of Representatives. The legislation is currently pending before the Senate.