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Graves (DHS Moderator)

DHS should run more public dialogues like the one they did for the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review. This dialogue (http://www.homelandsecuritydialogue.org/) was open to the public, easy to use, and engaged thousands of people in shaping policy that impacts us all.

It appears that I have to create a new account for each agency's dialogue. Since there are 20-something dialogues, it would be good to create one sign-on that would work across all these sites.

There's also the ability to use Google and other single sign-on methods, but many users may prefer to create an account that is less identifying.

I can't seem to find the tag cloud anywhere on the site. Can you make this more accessible/visible to users?

I know that the DHS Secretary has announced that we would have IdeaFactory up and running by 1/11/10, but it has never been rolled out. If there are technical issues or labor issues with certain components, roll it out to the rest. We are anxiously awaiting our opportunity to submit ideas to make DHS a better place to work. If you are able to get this system up and running, why can't we get IdeaFactory rolled out?

Let employees know about this new website. They are also stakeholders and should be able to voice their opinions as well. They also have a vested interest in what the public has to say about their agency, its mission, and its people. Let's be transparent with our own employees.

Instead of each component having their own awards ceremony, have one, virtual awards ceremony for all DHS and post stories of each inspiring award winner on the web. The public should hear about Coast Guardians who rescue those in need of assistance, Border Patrol agents who save illegal immigrants from drowning or dying of thirst, and other everyday heros who work for DHS. This will serve as a counterpoint for the... more »

The sharing of timely information important to critical infrastructure by federal agencies is a fallacy. We're told time and again that various security clearances are needed before information can be shared. As an InfraGard member, I'm asked to report suspicious or unusual activity; a one-way street. My suggestion is simple. Make obtaining various security clearances less onerous to obtain and direct those agencies... more »

As it stands now, eAPIS must be used via the internet. This creates substantial problems for remote operators, such as seaplanes in remote lakes of Canada. Internet service is simply not available. Although CBP did make some changes to the rule-making, the simple fact remains that weather cannot be relied upon to allow a timely departure in these locations, thus potentially voiding an eAPIS general aviation manifest.... more »

I currently have clients who have to deal with up to five separate federally regulated or supervised risk management programs. These include MTSA, CFATS, NERC CIP, EPA Programs and TSA Pipeline Security (Not to mention DOT Security for their vehicles). All have different risk management practices to include different threat assessment methodologies (if any) methods for measuring consequence and techniques for identifying... more »

Passengers going through TSA checkpoints are required to follow rules that are not spelled out in law or regulation but rather in documents claimed by DHS to be SSI. Secret laws are clearly un-Americain. Post the rules that passengers are required to follow to the web.

Information from the phone contact system is not always up-to-date about cases. Need to improve it to provide the actual/current status of cases. Applications take a long time at the USCIS Office, but there is a tool where one can check the status of a case online. We need to have a similar online tool to check status of cases that are at the NVC. It should give a general ideas on where in the process a case is.

Regarding USCIS: Promote communication with the general public regarding the status of their cases, thus thwarting undo stress and frustration. Rather than just letting their case status sit at "Initial Review" for 4+ months.

Add a category for "background check initiated", or "case awaiting priority date". Anything to ease the frustration of having to wait for months to be reunited with a loved one.

Provide a one stop shopping information portal to the public that lists data and metrics related to the Top 3 Strategic Goals for each and every DHS Component. Quarterly would be reasonable I suppose. If a component's goal was 10 annually, and 1st qrtr was 3, second qrtr was still 3, that component would not be pleased to post that performance. That's accountability. The goals should be of public interest. Sharing meaningless... more »

National security isn't a Web 2.0, Wikipedia-like undertaking. I trained for years to be expert in my field. I expect those protecting our country to be trained experts who have done the same and can LEAD with their knowledge, experience, and creativity. This forum is nothing more than a feel-good exercise--I hope. If the safety of the country depends on a suggestion box, we're doomed.