Pryce: Homeland Security Department Puts
Focus on Keeping Columbus Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today announced the city of Columbus will receive nearly $7.6 million dollars from the federal government to enhance the city’s overall security and to help officials prepare to respond and recover from potential acts of terrorism. The funding is part of the fiscal year (FY) 2005 Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).

“Protecting our homeland is a shared responsibility. Our local police, firefighters and emergency workers work everyday to keep our families safe and I commend their efforts,” said Pryce. “I am proud that the federal government is doing its part by providing the funding that Columbus needs to provide many important resources to our community’s first responders.”

Cities that receive money as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative are selected using four criteria: overall population, population density, classified critical infrastructure, and the current available threat information on specific cities obtained by the FBI. Other Ohio cities receiving money are Toledo, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Columbus received the most funding of any of the Ohio cities this year.  

Over the past three years, central Ohio residents received the benefit of over $50 million in federal funding for homeland security activities. These activities included airport and transportation security, critical infrastructure protection, overtime reimbursement, communications upgrades, and first responder equipment, training, and planning.