WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $260,217 to the Alabama State Port Authority for port security measures in Mobile Bay and $378,000 to protect key infrastructure sites across the state against terrorist attacks, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced today.
“While there are many terrorist targets in our nation, clearly our ports are high on the list and must be protected. This funding will help ensure the safety and security of potential terrorist targets in Alabama,” Sessions said today. “These critical sites need the resources and capabilities to protect against future attacks.”
The Alabama State Port Authority received the $260,217 grant through the Department’s Port Security Grant Program. Funding will be used to expand video surveillance coverage at Mobile Middle Bay Port to ensure that the entire waterfront area is monitored.
The $378,000 grant for critical infrastructure protection has been awarded through the Department’s Buffer Zone Protection Program, which aims to help local law enforcement and first responders develop preventive measures to deter terrorists from planning and launching attacks at high priority targets.
The state of Alabama is the recipient of the grant and will distribute funding to critical state infrastructure and key resource sites, which are classified. The funding can be used to purchase equipment that detects explosive, biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear devices, communications equipment, physical security enhancements and screening systems.
