Question

In addition to electronic surveillance, how else does the Patriot Act help law enforcement stop terror plots?

Answer 1

The Patriot Act includes listening to phone calls, reading emails/texts and personal social media account messaging as well. Which could be used in the act of Terrorism or to plot said Terrorism. 

Answer 2

USA PATRIOT Act: is a federal law of the United States. It was approved by an overwhelming majority by both the House of Representatives and the US Senate and then promulgated by US President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001, after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The objective of this law is to expand the control capacity of the State in order to combat terrorism, improving the capacity of the different US security agencies by coordinating them and providing them with greater powers of vigilance against terrorist crimes. The law also enacted new crimes and toughened the penalties for terrorism offenses.

This law has been harshly criticized by various human rights organizations and organizations, due to the restriction of liberties and constitutional guarantees that it has meant for citizens, both American and foreign.