FBI agent speaks on terrorist attacks

FBI Special Agent Robert Springer spoke to a standing-room only crowd in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs atrium Tuesday night about the detrimental effects of domestic terrorism in the U.S. \nSpringer, who started working in the Indianapolis division of the FBI three years ago, said he sees the U.S. Constitution play an active role in his job.\n“We uphold the Constitution in everything we do,” Springer said. “By working in domestic terrorism investigations, you get to see the First Amendment in action.” \nSpringer said eco-terrorism – attacking industries that are believed to harm animals – and agro-terrorism – the use of food supply as a weapon of mass destruction – are two forms of terrorism that the FBI is especially interested in because they can harm the economy and public health just as much as an “international terrorist” attack, such as 9/11. \n“Agro-terrorism could cause mass casualties,” he said. “Protecting the U.S. from terrorist attacks is our primary responsibility … but we don’t give nearly enough attention to (agro-terrorism) as we should.” \nSpringer drew a particular interest from the crowd when he discussed how the construction of I-69 through southwestern Indiana could potentially arouse an eco-terrorist attack because of the negative effects this construction may have on the environment, farms and the land owners in the path of the future highway. \nCourtney Bonney, a graduate student in SPEA’s Environmental Management program, said the I-69 issue was particularly important to her precisely because of the potential harm to the environment and because people will be forced to pay taxes on another highway that they may never even use, while public transportation continues to be under-funded. \n“There is very little funding for public transportation in this country,” Bonney said. “We shouldn’t spend our money on a highway that’s not really needed.”\nSpringer encouraged students who are passionate about this sort of issue to consider a career in the FBI. He listed several different jobs prospective employees can have within the agency, including linguists, intelligence analysts and special agents. \nKevin Devaney, a senior majoring in health administration, said he came to the talk because he thinks working with terrorism every day would be a fascinating career. \n“I was in the military for a while,” Devaney said. “And working with the FBI would be interesting.” \nSpringer reminded the crowd that the FBI investigates more than just terrorist activities. \n“There are criminal elements in all aspects of society,” he said. “There are so many areas that we investigate: white collar crime, violent crime, etc.” \nHe spoke specifically to the SPEA students in the audience for a moment, saying an environmental science background is a great one to have for a career in the FBI. \n“You’re in an environmental school,” Springer said. “You’re getting an environmental background. We need you.”