The Public and Domestic Terrorism

Pamela Berkowsky formerly served as Assistant Chief of Staff and Assistant to the

Secretary of Defense for Civil Support in Washington, D.C. In this position, she spoke

frequently to the public and the media on domestic terrorism preparedness. Pamela

Berkowsky served in a number of additional visible public sector positions, including

tenure as Chief of Staff to the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Although the 1993 World Trade Center bombings opened America's eyes to the possibility of terrorist

attacks on U.S. soil, the full magnitude of that possibility did not register until 168 men, women,

and children died in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing tragedy. Since that time, the U.S. has

focused on tracking the weapons of mass destruction capabilities of state actors as well as homegrown and foreign terrorist organizations. According to Pamela Berkowsky, the delicacy

comes in balancing the delivery of information to the public while not causing mass panic. The Executive Branch holds responsibility to inform the American

people of threats. U.S. domestic terrorism preparedness has significantly evolved since the

seminal events of the 1990's.