DHS and D.C. Fight Over Protocol

When a small plane entered restricted air space in the nation's capital earlier this month, officials rushed to ensure the safety of many critical members of government. Washington's emergency management agency says it knew nothing about the attack, claiming the Department of Homeland Security didn't notify the agency. But the DHS is now dismissing the claims.

Late last week, the Associated Press reported that Barbara Childs-Pair, Director of the D.C. Emergency Management Agency, publicly told a radio station that her agency was never notified by federal officials about the small plane, which is protocol. Childs-Pair says she watched the evacuations on CNN.

Childs-Pair told AP her agency is working with Homeland Security to keep this from happening again.

However, in an article in The Washington Times, writer Robert Redding, Jr. says the DHS is disputing the complaints. DHS spokesperson Brian Roehrkasse told Redding that the district has had a Metropolitan Police officer in the agency for several months.

"He has access to the high and low side [of security data]," Roehrkasse told Redding. "He has had access ever since he started working here."

To read the Washington Times report, click here: http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20050520-100645-5618r.htm

To read the Associated Press report, click here: http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0505/229816.html