National Special Security Event

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A National Special Security Event (NSSE) is a status declared by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for certain events, usually because an event may seem like an attractive target for terrorists or assassins due to the event's visibility or political connection. An NSSE designation puts the United States Secret Service in charge of security for the event.

Contents

[edit] Authority

The procedure for an NSSE was established by President Bill Clinton in a portion of Presidential Decision Directive 62 in May 1998, which set out the security roles for federal agencies at major events.[1] The Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000 (Pub.L. 106-544, signed into law on 2000-12-19), added special events explicitly to the powers of the United States Secret Service in 18 U.S.C. § 3056.

[edit] Procedure

A number of factors are taken into consideration when designating an event as a National Special Security Event. Department of Homeland Security press releases usually point out the following factors:[2]

  • Anticipated attendance by dignitaries: Events which are attended by officials of the United States Government and/or foreign dignitaries also may create an independent federal interest to ensure the event transpires without incident and sufficient resources are brought to bear in the event of an incident.
  • Size of the event: A large number of attendees and participants generally increases the security requirements. In addition, larger events are more likely to draw the attention of terrorists or other criminals, particularly those interested in employing weapons of mass destruction.
  • Significance of the event: Some events have historical, political and/or symbolic significance that may heighten concern about possible terrorist acts or other criminal activity.

When an NSSE is declared, the Secret Service becomes the lead agency for the security planning for the event. The Secret Service brings in local law enforcement, public safety, and military experts to assist with developing the plan, and give them the special guidance and training to operate within the security plan.[2]

An NSSE also releases federal funding for security plans.[clarify][citation needed]

Some of the security measures people can expect on the scene when a major event is declared an NSSE:

[edit] Events

18 U.S.C. § 3056 paragraph (e)(2) requires that, at the end of each federal fiscal year, the executive branch report to Congress which events were designated NSSEs, and what criteria were used to make the designations.

Typical types of NSSEs are state funerals, major political conventions, and the State of the Union addresses.

Though not declared by DHS (which did not yet exist), the first NSSE after the September 11, 2001 attacks was Super Bowl XXXVI.[3]

 This table is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup.
Please improve the article, or discuss the issue on the talk page.
Date Event Location
02000-07-31 31 July 2000
(to August 3)		 Republican National Convention 2000 Republican National Convention[citation needed] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
02000-08-14 14 August 2000
(to August 17)		 Democratic National Convention 2000 Democratic National Convention[citation needed] Los Angeles, California
02001-01-20 20 January 2001 Presidential Inauguration 2001 Presidential Inauguration[citation needed] Washington, D.C.
02001-09-13 13 September 2001
(to present)		 United Nations General Assembly 56th session[citation needed] New York, New York
02002-02-03 3 February 2002 Super Bowl 36 Super Bowl XXXVI[3] New Orleans, Louisiana
02002-02-08 8 February 2002
(to February 24)		 Winter Olympics 2002 Winter Olympics[3] Salt Lake City, Utah
02002-05-21 21 May 2002
(to May 22)		 World Economic Forum USA Meeting[citation needed] Washington, D.C.
02003-01-26 26 January 2003 Super Bowl 37 Super Bowl XXXVII[citation needed] San Diego, California
02004-02-01 1 February 2004 Super Bowl 38 Super Bowl XXXVIII[citation needed] Houston, Texas
02004-06-08 8 June 2004
(to June 10)		 G8 summit 3030th G8 summit[citation needed] Sea Island, Georgia
02004-06-09 9 June 2004
(to June 11)		 State funeral of Ronald Reagan[4] Washington, D.C. and Simi Valley, California
02004-07-26 26 July 2004
(to July 29)		 Democratic National Convention 2004 Democratic National Convention[4] Boston, Massachusetts
02004-08-30 30 August 2004
(to September 2)		 Republican National Convention 2004 Republican National Convention[4] New York, New York
02005-01-20 20 January 2005 Presidential Inauguration 2005 Presidential Inauguration[4] Washington, D.C.
02006-01-31 31 January 2006 State of the Union 2006 State of the Union Address[4] Washington, D.C.
02005-02-06 6 February 2005 Super Bowl 39 Super Bowl XXXIX[citation needed] Jacksonville, Florida
02006-02-05 5 February 2006 Super Bowl 40 Super Bowl XL[citation needed] Detroit, Michigan
02006-12-30 30 December 2006
(to January 3, 2007)		 State funeral of Gerald Ford[4] Washington, D.C. and Grand Rapids, Michigan
02007-01-23 23 January 2007 State of the Union 2007 State of the Union Address[4] Washington, D.C.
02007-02-04 4 February 2007 Super Bowl 41 Super Bowl XLI[citation needed] Miami Gardens, Florida
02007-02-25 25 February 2007 Academy Awards 79th Academy Awards[citation needed] Los Angeles, California
02008-01-28 28 January 2008 State of the Union 2008 State of the Union Address[4] Washington, D.C.
02008-02-03 3 February 2008 Super Bowl 42 Super Bowl XLII[citation needed] Glendale, Arizona
02008-02-24 24 February 2008 Academy Awards 80th Academy Awards[citation needed] Los Angeles, California

[edit] References

  1. ^ National Special Security Events. United States Secret Service. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  2. ^ a b c d Fact Sheet: National Special Security Events. Office of the Press Secretary, United States Department of Homeland Security (2006-12-29). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  3. ^ a b c A Partial Administration Timeline of Homeland Security Actions through May 29 of 2002. United States Department of Homeland Security (2005-12-21). Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Designation of the President's State of the Union Address as a National Special Security Event. Office of the Press Secretary, United States Department of Homeland Security (2008-01-28). Retrieved on 2008-02-01. “Since 1998, the Secret Service has led federal security operations at 24 National Special Security Events, including President Gerald Ford's state funeral, the 2005 Presidential Inauguration, the 2004 Republican and Democratic National Conventions, President Ronald Reagan's state funeral in 2004, and the last three State of the Union Addresses.”

[edit] External links