State Sens. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joe Griffo, R-Rome, have been named a member of the Senate Republican majority’s new task force on counterterrorism and public protection.

The nine-member task force will be analyzing current counterterrorism and protection measures put into place following the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and will make recommendations for future legislative and administrative actions for public safety for New Yorkers, according to a press release from the Ritchie’s office.

She represents the western half of St. Lawrence County including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur.

“As a representative of Fort Drum and thousands of brave soldiers who are part of the 10th Mountain Division, one of the Army’s most deployed combat units, I see each and every day the sacrifices made by our troops to protect our state, as well as our country, from terrorism,” said Ritchie in the release “Despite their dedicated efforts, and the efforts made by law enforcement and others, the reality is that threats remain. I look forward to being part of this Task Force, which will allow us to take a hard look at our current counterterrorism and public protection practices to see how we can improve upon them to make our state safer,” she said.

Griffo represents the 47th Senate District, which includes a swath running through the middle of St. Lawrence County, from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam.

“From my time serving on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, as well as my focus on public protection during my service in local government, I understand the need to always be vigilant against threats to our people and infrastructure,” said Griffo in the announcement from his office. “While we must always reconnect with the raw emotion we all experienced on September 11, 2001, we also need to accept that there exists a new normal of terror in today’s world. As we’ve tragically seen on our soil and across the globe, there are no limits to the forms of terrorism that can strike at any time, from unpredictable lone wolf attacks to high-tech cyber wars. Fifteen years after 9/11, we must always ensure with the same level of urgency that we do whatever we can to protect the people of New York State from any and all acts of terror,” he said.

The task force will be visiting critical infrastructure and public protection sites, holding public roundtables and meetings and conduct private interviews.

A final report with findings and legislative and administrative recommendations will also be published at a later date.