HAMILTON, Ohio (WXIX) - Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones is changing how his agency arms and trains deputies based on an ominous warning from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Sheriff Jones just got back from the National Sheriff’s Association’s annual winter conference in Washington D.C., where Wray’s update for them has him convinced a terror attack in the U.S. is imminent.
He says he wants Butler County to be ready.
“It’s gonna happen here,” Sheriff Jones said Tuesday. “It’s going to be all hands on deck. We want you to be concerned now. You are a fool if you don’t listen to the chatter.”
He said the FBI director warned that:
The 2024 NSA Winter Conference has officially commenced! The National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Committee and FBI Director Chris Wray met yesterday to discuss national security priorities to ensure the safety of our communities. Collaborative endeavors between our Sheriffs… pic.twitter.com/9PJEvwg4b5
— National Sheriffs' Association (@NationalSheriff) February 3, 2024
Some attacks like hacking are already underway in Butler County and have been for years, according to Sheriff Jones.
Russian hackers got into their computer system in late 2020, he said.
It put down their dispatch center’s automated computer system for about 10 days, requiring dispatchers to do their job with pen and paper.
“I was told today China tries to hack our computer system five times a day. Three times a day from Iran and Russia. It’s constant,” Sheriff Jones said. “All we are doing is keeping them away the best we can. The FBI can’t help us. It’s too much. Last time they couldn’t help us.”
He’s ordered AR-15 rifles immediately into every single cruiser, not just a few, along with ammunition and clips.
The sheriff’s office also is changing how it trains staff and civilians.
They’ve ordered more Hazmat equipment with plans to expand their current Hazmat team of 10.
He’s also planning to expand their Citizens On Patrol program.
In addition, sign-ups just opened up for the public to start training May 17-18 to help respond to natural disasters and attacks.
The class is called “When Disaster Strikes: Prepare, Act, Survive.”
It’s designed to teach and encourage community members impacted by a disaster to prepare, take preservation actions and to perform, as appropriate, light search and rescue response to aid their family and other community members in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster or human-made incident.
“You’ve got to expect they will do something with chemicals or drugs and train derailments,” Sheriff Jones said. “What will people do if their cell phones don’t work? People will freak out. They can’t call anybody. We are not prepared for things like that.”
The sheriff says he plans to announce more new proposals at an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday.
Sheriff Jones says local first responders including law enforcement will be the front-line defense for attacks on U.S. soil just like it was on Sept. 11, 2001.
Some of those who want to harm us are already living among us and the military and National Guard can’t just be instantly activated, he said.
“We are going to train with local police for terror attacks. We are going to be the Army, Marines, Air Force and National Guard,” he said. “We have to train people to be better prepared for terror attacks. Police were trained to keep local communities safe. You don’t think you were going to be attacked by terrorists.
“We have to train as though the military is not coming to help us. The National Guard is not coming to help us. Everybody is on their own. I want the public to know you are in a terrible spot right now. Pay attention to what you see, where you see it, watch people. There are people here who don’t like us.”
Asked if he was just being “Doomsday Jones” and encouraging racial discrimination and profiling of foreigners by calling for closed U.S. borders, the sheriff responded:
“You don’t have to believe me at all. You don’t have to be trained in firearms. When we call you, you can go hide in your basement. Build a safe room. Good luck to you. I give you the information. If you don’t like what I say, don’t vote for me. Fire me. Don’t elect me. But I’ve been elected five times. I am concerned with my country and the people who are here legally.”
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