The Department of Homeland Security needs to do a better job of creating a national data-sharing network that allows state and local law enforcement to share information on potential terrorists and other criminals, witnesses testified before Congress on Wednesday.

Right now, fusion centers run by local law enforcement agencies to consolidate national security data at the state and local levels don't have the means of collaborating with other centers to spot trends, or to plan an overall response to a threat. State and local law enforcement witnesses told the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment that there are significant gaps in sharing information with DHS.

"We need to do more and look at this from a standpoint of partnering," said Leroy Baca, sheriff of Los Angeles County, who represented the Joint Regional Intelligence Center.

At a recent conference, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said there have been strides made in developing information sharing networks across the country. There is a classified Homeland Secure Data Network for DHS agencies, and federal law enforcement at nearly 30 fusion centers nationwide. The government has provided $327 million in funding to fusion centers, and $812 million for broader information-sharing initiatives.

Nevertheless, state and local officials testified that not enough has happened to make them feel secure about ferreting out a threat.

"Communication laterally through the thousands of police agents, which constitute a web of safety for America, is an imminent unmet need," Baca said. "Fusion centers should be a coordinating unit for all police departments."

For more on what DHS needs to do to share threat information:
- see this nextgov.com article