While it might not have disrupted any terrorist plots, supporters say a controversial state intelligence-gathering center based in Oklahoma City has proved an effective crime-fighting tool.

“It's just another layer of security to make sure nothing falls through the cracks,'' said Kim Edd Carter, director of the state's homeland security office.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, the federal government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help establish more than 70 such “fusion centers” throughout the country.

The idea was for the centers to serve as a domestic information-sharing network that would help local, state and federal law enforcement agencies better collaborate to prevent a future attack.