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Delaware spies on its own citizens, sort of like the NSA

One of the few things you are
allowed to know about DIAC
is that it has this cool Eagle logo
Unfortunately, we haven't found our own Edward Snowden yet.

(So I guess you'll just have to make due with me.)

What if I told you that Delaware has its own little baby NSA, with an unknown budget, unknown capabilities, and no civilian oversight?

And that this entity already has a history of using false pretenses to collect data from and about Delaware citizens?

Specifically, I'm talking about Delaware's "fusion" center, the Delaware Intelligence and Analysis Center in Dover?

This is a very long post below the break, but it contains virtually all the publicly known information about one of the most shadowy government organizations in Delaware, the one that nobody wants to talk about...



I first started asking these questions in 2009, when I discovered that you could really find out very little about what this center actually does, or even what its precise location or budget is.  Here is a quote from a 2007 WNJ story that I clipped back then (and which, strangely enough, I can no longer find even in the pay archives:
The facility, known as the DIAC, opened in December 2005 with help from a $925,000 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security to buy high-powered computers, software and other equipment. It is overseen by Delaware State Police Capt. Bill Harris, who asked that its exact location, somewhere between Dover and Smyrna, not be disclosed.... 
"The fusion process is to take law enforcement information and other information -- it could be from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the private sector -- and fuse it together to look for anomalies and push information out to our stakeholders in Delaware who have both a right and a need to know," Harris said.... 
Access to those other data sources is limited only by cost and privacy laws, Harris said. 
"I don't want to say it's unlimited, but the ceiling is very high," he said. "When we have the money, we'll start going to those other agencies and say, 'Are you willing to share that database and what would it cost?' "
The ACLU was unhappy with these comments, and made reference to them around that time:
Rather than being constrained by the law regarding what they can collect, Capt. Harris appeared to feel constrained only by resources. 
What's interesting is that the description of the DIAC available on the Delaware State Police website has changed somewhat since 2009.  Then it read as follows:
In 2007, the Delaware Information and Analysis Center (DIAC) matured greatly as Delaware's State Fusion Center. In only its second full year as Delaware's fusion center, DIAC has become an integral part of Delaware's criminal intelligence, criminal investigation and information sharing mission. The DIAC has enhanced its main focus on terrorism prevention and moved towards an "all crimes, all hazards" concept. The DIAC gathers information from law enforcement, other public and governmental entities, and the private sector, fuses the information together and puts it back out for use by the various decision makers and leaders in Delaware who have the need and right to know. Armed with credible intelligence and information provided by the DIAC, Delaware's leaders in government, law enforcement, emergency services and the private sector are better able coordinate and protect the citizens, property, and business interests of all Delawareans. 
Today's description has both more and less description, and a significant change in who has the "right and need to know," with that now being narrowed from "decision makers and leaders in Delaware" to "decision makers ... in the Law Enforcement sector":
The Delaware Information and Analysis Center (DIAC), Delaware’s Fusion Center serves as a critical component of Delaware’s Homeland Security as well as Criminal Intelligence, Critical Infrastructure Protection and Statewide Law Enforcement investigative support. The DIAC adheres to an All Crimes All Hazards approach to Homeland Security at the state level. This approach necessitates that DIAC provide real time information and intelligence to those decision makers with a need and right to know in the Law Enforcement sector.  
The DIAC has numerous full time components embedded within, that include a six person analytical section, a Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit, and a statewide WMD coordinator. The DIAC’s analytic section is composed of four full time civilian intelligence analysts and two Delaware National Guard analysts, as well as a Department of Homeland Security representative. In addition the Department of Public Health provided a representative who works part time at the DIAC. The Critical Infrastructure Unit is composed of two sworn troopers and a civilian critical infrastructure planner. These full time members of DIAC work in conjunction with each other to identify, prevent, secure and inform Delaware’s Law Enforcement, private sector and public leaders of any and all threats to the security of Delaware. In addition to the above full time partners DIAC works daily with Delaware’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI, ATF, ICE, The Delaware National Guard, United States Coast Guard, Dover Air Force Base, the US Attorneys Office, and The Department of Homeland Security to ensure that information is shared and exchanged regularly to better protect our state. 
In 2009 DIAC played a critical role in several events here in Delaware. The DIAC once again served as the intelligence lead in both NASCAR races held at Dover Downs providing a comprehensive threat assessment of the event. DIAC also served as an intelligence and information hub for President Obama’s Whistle Stop Tour and Inauguration events held here in Delaware. DIAC also played a key role in the successful Returns Day event attended by Vice President Joe Biden in Georgetown in January. DIAC analysts also assisted in numerous successful criminal arrests and prosecutions. Several were the result of detailed analysis and suspect workups done by the analysts. Others were the direct result of DIAC’s Daily Roll Call bulletins that allowed officers to identify suspects in numerous unsolved incidents. 
Among the more interesting creations of the DIAC is a cell phone app designed to let you turn in somebody (anybody, for any reason) for "suspicious" behavior.

Supposedly you can do so an remain anonymous (so DIAC claims) but one tech savvy reviewer noted that this simply is not true:
I have an Android and I was going to download the app to review it -- until I saw the "permissions." Now, it actually isn't as bad as some of the apps out there that record your phone calls, constantly monitor your location, read texts, etc. But for a program that says you can remain anonymous, it's a bit laughable.
Here's some of what it can do:
 
  • If your camera or camcorder is on, it can take photos or video and send them to the fusion center. Even if you aren't snapping photos just yet, or recording.
  • Pinpoint your location using GPS.
  • Allows it to put files on your phone or SD card.
  • Disable your GPS
That's cute, huh?  Install an app on your phone and DIAC operatives in Dover will always be with you.

To be clear, that's the false pretenses I was referring to above.  Download the app to help them spy on your neighbors and you have just allowed them to spy on you.

Even more interesting is that we don't know how much DIAC costs us, because the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security does not report the center as a separate budget item. Go ahead, check the new budget--it's not in there and the DSP is pretty much unwilling to answer questions about it.

You pay for it, but they won't tell you what it costs.

Strangely enough, even a pretty thorough search doesn't turn up any references to legislation creating it or specifying its purpose or oversight.  You try it.  I spent an hour going over old legislation back as far as 2003 and searching the DE State Code, and I found zilch, zero, nada.

Which makes me wonder (quite strongly) about the following questions:

1.  Who does provide oversight of DIAC to insure that neither its surveillance/intelligence gathering methods and scope nor the dissemination of same are not violating the privacy of law-abiding Delaware citizens?

2.  Who made the decision between 2009 and now to limit access to information only to a part of the Law Enforcement Community?

3.  How much are we paying for DIAC and why isn't its budget available [at least a budget total]?

4.  What specific safeguards does DIAC have in place to insure that it does not violate the civil liberties of Delaware citizens?

5.  What kind of information is being provided to the private sector?  Is this information sold or sent out for free?  Who receives it?  Under what sort of agreement?

6.  What, if any, contributory role does DIAC play in sharing its information with NSA or other Federal intelligence agencies?

This are all questions that I find it interesting that nobody else is asking, even as we learn that the Federal government has no qualms about spying on us all.

We have a center here in Delaware built during the height on 9/11 paranoia, operating entirely under the radar, apparently unaccountable in both operational and budgetary terms, and we already know it has tried to place invasive cell phone apps with our citizens.

But, hey, our representatives in the General Assembly would rather spend their sessions telling you not to drink raw milk or have your babies at home.

A final note:  the formerly "super-secret" location of DIAC [the only they didn't want to talk about back in 2009] is--according to the Federal government, anyway--1575 McKee Road, Dover, in the same complex that houses the Delaware State Lottery.  There's a certain logic in that, don't you think?
Not sure which building houses DIAC, but I' sure they'd be happy if
you wanted to drive around and take a look for yourself.  Not.


Comments

Anonymous said…
'Returns Day event attended by Vice President Joe Biden in Georgetown in January.'

This happened in Nov. They can't even get their dates right.
Jay Booth said…
I wouldn't have even guessed Delaware had a fusion center.
I'm assuming it will communicate with the center in Utah when it's finished.
Steve Boone said…
Wow! Who'd'a thunk we'd have a baby fusion center in the First State?? Do we also have an accompanying baby FEMA Camp?? At least it would be close for visitors...



DANIEL E. SHAFFER JR. said…
FOR WHAT PURPOSE???
Now combine this ILLEGAL SURVEILLANCE w/Intense Harassment. Now talk to,
1. PATRICK OGDEN ex-FBI, Ex-State Cop UD Security in Newark,&2. VINCENT SHIPMAN UD security Ex-FBI African-Amer Freemason3. STEPHEN SMITH &4.PETER J. LENHOFF Security Guard UD in NEWARK

These Dudes are placing WHISTLEBLOWERS under ILLEGAL SURVEILLANCE & encircling, relently Harassing & Stalking them. BAITING them &giving Rewards to those who assist them in CRIMINAL CONSPIRACIES.

WHISTLEBLOWER Complaints:PHRC Case No.200800802 & EEOC Case No.17F200960329 Filed Against HACC in LANCASTER PA(Intense Harassment & Discrimination Charges)Read Letter 6 of 8: The Diseased Animal:See No Evil: The CREEP SICK MIKIE MIC of LANCASTER PA MANHEIM.

As Judge Jerome O Herlihy "CATHOLIC" 302-255-0800 & 302-255-0663 Wilmington. Mysteriously Public Def RAYOND D ARMSTRONG Christian/Freemason Picks up my Case. He is PRESENT. LATE DEC 2010 COURT TRANSCRIPTS, Judge Herlihy in COURT States,
"WHAT ARE UD SECURITY GUARDS HEADED to LANCASTER Pa for anyway. Something NOT Right here. Did your Attorney even Communicate with you at all. He is NOT DEFENDING YOU! Where did you get this guy at. He is NOT HELPING you. He is NO GOOD. Get rid of this guy. What kind of DEAL did these 2 give you. You know you are NOT GUILTY of this CHARGE dont you. You know you can be found NOT GUILTY of this CHARGE by a Jury of your peers dont you. Tell me what they had done to you DANIEL. You are NOT DANGEROUS. Jail is for DANGEROUS people & you are CERTAINLY NOT 1 of them. I am NOT going to send you to JAIL. There is NOTHING wrong with you. You are Just DEPRESSED that is all. SPELL FORENSICS Dr ROBERT G THOMPSON's LAST NAME. yes I will see your evidence. Any you have. This is Weird! What is WHISPERING to you (ref to RAYMOND D ARMSTRONG Christian/mason). tell me what he said! Tell Me. Dont LISTEN to him! LISTEN to me. you are from YORK & this happened in LANCASTER. I AM NOT DOING THAT. HE IS GOING HOME! WHAT ARE UNIVERSITY of DELAWARE SECURITY GUARDS HEADED UP TO LANCASTER PA for ANYWAY? This isnt making any sense to me. Something is MISSING here. I dont get this."

CRIMININOLOGIST/Forensic DR ROBERT G THOMPSON's Stated,"THEY REALLY WANTED TO HURT YOU! THERE IS NOTHING THEY WEREN'T DOING TO YOU. I believe you. I believe they were do that & a lot more to you, YOU WERE UNAWARE OF. You are HONEST. I support you. A Security Guard From U.D. & the Prosecutor wanted me to INSTUTIONALIZE YOU! I will testify for you. If you need any help, dont be AFRAID to ask. I WILL HELP YOU!"

My cell phone & Email Account was being HACKED into and my TEXT MESSGAGES were being read at the same time I was being RELENTLESSLY Harassed. Also, I was being HARASSED by EMERGENCY CELL PHONES! My house was busted into on the Eve of the Pa Governor Ordering HACC to Answer the 70+ COUNTS of Harassment & Discrim Charges Along w/Numerous College policy Violations. They are switching DATEs up on the police reports & going thru Social Networks in order to BLACK LIST & BLACK BALL Me(Ad Crable Lancaster Newspaper)

Ask Pa State Cop RICHARD T DRUM what is going on here in LANCASTER??? They waited until they threw me in Jail for FALSE CHARGES, A BOGUS FELONLY CHARGE & then found out thru the Neighborhood watch group NOBODY (2 60ish Single Females Neighbors on WOODS Ave in LANCASTER)was Home & then busted in thru the Window. Then they were searching for more items, such as my cell phone & phone records & anything they could MANUFACTURE CRIMES & CHARGES.

Consult w/JUDGE HERLIHY, DR ROBERT G THOMPSON, Attorney NATALIE WOOLSHIN or an EXPERT on East German STASI Tactics, A CATHOLIC CRIMINOLOGIST, An African Amer or Jewish Prof, who are experts on KKK Hate Grp Tactics & What JEW BAITING is: & COMMUNITY BASED POLICING. Ask the people involved what they are & their FAMILIES are: CHRISTIANS, MENNONITEs, Freemasons & Some LOONEY TOONS.

Respectfully DANIEL E SHAFFER JR.
DANIEL E. SHAFFER JR. said…
Dear STEVE NEWTON,

My name is DANIEL E SHAFFER JR. I was born in the inner city of YORK PENNSYLVANIA & Raised by an extremely Poor working class family. I joined the U.S. Army in order to escape poverty. I earned 3 honorable discharges (88-96 & After 9/11 03-05) I am a third generation U.S. Army Veteran. I Earned big 10 College Degrees in SOCIOLOGY. I am a SOCIOLOGIST. I am a former counselor to children & families. I am a WHISTLEBLOWER & VICTIM of a HATE CRIME.

1. December 2012 Dean NANCY ROCKEY HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE is CHARGED with Stealing 200,000 dollars (CASH from the College).

2. June 2013 TODD CRAWLEY ( Security) at HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Files WHISTLEBLOWER Complaints Agianst the COLLEGE. They are Defrauding the U.S. Dept of Education. And have been for years! They are lying about their Community College's Policies to the U.S. Dept of Education, and recieving Federal Funds. (I can Explain if you want me to, and Explain HACC's Policy Book. I was trained in Policy Analysis at the University of Maryland)

3. Formal WHISTLEBLOWER Complaints:PHRC Case No.200800802 & EEOC Case No.17F200960329 Filed Against HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE in LANCASTER Pennsylvania Against DEAN BRAD A WOLF, his Neighbors, Colleagues, Security, Members of the Community & Relatives. Foundation of the Complaint, Nepotism, Harassment (Mobbing, Intense Harassment), Discrimination of an U.S. Veteran & Numerous Policy Violations. And Defrauding both the Students & Families of Pennsylvania! (Stealing Money from the State & Funds from the Federal Govt)

The Dieseased Animals involved in the CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY are the following: Christians, Christian/MENNONITES, A Collection of Looney Toons & Freemasons.

These Diseased Animals are dumping my Computer & reading my Email Messages & Text Messages. At the same time these ANIMALS are Mobbing ME (Intensely Harassing Me). They are talking my Personal Messages ILLEGALLY and transcribing them onto Police reports in order to find out where I am Vulnerable & set me up for CHARGES & CRIMES. This is TRUE! The Security is STALKING at the LANCASTER COLLEGE & University of Delaware Security in NEWARK is STALKING Me and with Members of Community & the State Police: most Likely CHRISTIANS & Freemasons. They are Agitating, BAITING, Harassing, STALKING & Provoking me through Emergency Cell Phone. It is a Bogus Lengthy Investigation Designed to Trump-Up Charges & MANUFACTURE Crimes Against Me.

Judge Jerome O Herlihy "CATHOLIC" Wilmington, Criminologist, Forensic Dr ROBERT G THOMPSON & Natalie Woloshin were aware of this & understand they were Dealing with a CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY. This is CHRISTIAN COINTELPRO/Jew Baiting. These Diseased ANIMALS, NOT only did this to me at the LANCASTER COLLEGE but they did it to at least 7 others Employees & Professors I am aware of....

So what do think EDWARD SNOWDEN means by "TURN OF THE KEY TYRANNY"? Steven Newton??? Julian Assanage was set up for RAPE & Molestation. THESE SICK SOB's WILL DO ANYTHING TO STOP THE TRUTH FOR GETTING OUT. THEY WILL LIE, ALL LIE FOR EACH OTHER, CHEAT, SMELL YOUR UNDERWEAR AND HARASS & STALK YOU. It is all for MONEY!

How are these HATE CRIMES(Jew Baiting & COINTELPRO Like TACTICS)& Hate Group Tactics Helping VULNERABLE Outsiders to the Community, Non-Tenure Professors, Jewish Women, WHISTLEBLOWERS & U.S. Veterans? Respectfully, DANIEL E SHAFFER JR.

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