Meeting

Report

 
KEVIN KENDRICK
Federal Bureau of Investigation
by John Galles
  
Marilynn Bowler introduced Kevin Kendrick, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of North Carolina operations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Mr. Kendrick was assigned as the SAC of the NC FBI eight months ago. Since joining the FBI in 1981 as a Special Agent in Detroit, Mr. Kendrick’s career has taken him to Kansas City, Missouri, Washington, D.C., Oakland County, and FBI headquarters. A native of Michigan, Mr. Kendrick also served in the Detroit police department and graduated from Wayne State University.
 
With over 29,000 men and women, the FBI is charged with a multi-intensive mission including investigation, protection, law enforcement, and faithful adherence to the U. S. constitution. Mr. Kendrick’s presentation included discussion of primary responsibilities and the current priorities that focus FBI time and attention.
 
Two primary responsibilities for the FBI include national security matters and criminal investigations. He noted that prior to September 11, 2001, serious consideration was given to separating national security matters from criminal investigations. He said it was fortunate that the 9-11 Commission did not recommend such a split. Mr. Kendrick remarked about a recent Wall Street Journal story that reported on the March 11th bombings in Madrid, Spain. The story identified that the terrorist threat behind that event was an unlikely coalition of drug dealers, religious fanatics and criminals merging to commit the crime. The entire effort was funded by the sale of 70 pounds of hashish. To be successful, the FBI needs to continue on both national security matters and criminal investigations. They are inevitably intertwined.
 
Mr. Kendrick then listed the priorities for FBI involvement in North Carolina. The first priority is to protect the U.S. from terrorist attack. He was clear that at the present time, there is no information or stream of intelligence that indicates any new threats in the area. He actually listed and named over twenty participating groups and authorities working together to fight terrorism. He was stalwart that no lead goes uncovered. He promised that every call, every walk-in, every letter gets vetted and follow-up is conducted.
 
He said that the success of recent major events was the result of substantial outreach and significant communication and cooperation among federal, state and local enforcement officials. He also spoke about consistent outreach to Muslim and Arab communities as well as to Jewish and Mexican communities. Mr. Kendrick also reminded us that terrorism is not just international. He recalled Timothy McVeigh and David Rudolf as well as eco-terrorists, right-wing anti-government extremists, tax protestors, and the KKK. There remains substantial concern about the “lone wolf” variety of domestic terrorism in the future.
 
The FBI’s second priority is to protect the U.S. against foreign intelligence operations and espionage. In North Carolina, we have military bases, abundant technology, universities, financial prominence, and large corporations that are all potential subjects for spy operations.
Its third priority is to protect the U. S. against cyber-based attacks and high technology crimes. He told us to make no mistake about it that foreign powers are interested in hacking into our systems and are anxious to steal our technology. In addition, he listed theft of intellectual property and trade secrets as well as Internet fraud and online predators.
Its fourth priority is to combat public corruption at all levels including investigation of law enforcement officers as well as bribery of those who protect our borders.
 
A fifth priority is to protect civil rights recognizing that protection of rights for all in this country is paramount to our free and democratic society. The FBI investigates hate crimes, color of law statutes, involuntary servitude, discrimination in housing and clinics and access.
Sixth on his list was combating transnational and national criminal organizations and all forms of organized crime including new and emerging groups.
 
Seventh is combating white-collar crime focusing on people taking advantage of new ways to invest and collect monies as well as mortgage fraud and ID theft.
 
He ended by taking questions and remarking that they still handle violent crimes though they have been declining. He hopes to increase their intelligence gathering capabilities in new and innovative ways. Mr. Kendrick also stated that he was under explicit instructions to sell their Williamsburg, Virginia property and to settle here in Charlotte. He expects to do just that!
 
Head Table:
Tom Wright, Catherine Browning, Marilynn Bowler, Jeannie Falknor, Kevin Geddings; Invocation: Tom Robertson
     
Visitors and Guests:
Bob Webb; Health & Happiness: Sam Woodard; Song: Ron Gattis

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