Police cars with flashing red lights lined the streets near Penn Station and the New York Police Department scanned the area for signs of radiation. The exercise was a demonstration of the Securing the Cities Initiative, a New York City pilot that works with all levels of government and is designed to prevent a radiological or nuclear attack on high-risk metropolitan areas.

Unfortunately, we know New York is a top target for a terrorist attack. That is why it is crucial that New York have the programs and funding needed to prevent an attack.

This week I invited David Price, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to New York City to view the city’s various security initiatives and see first hand the progress we have made since September 11. Although we have made significant progress, there is still so much that needs to be done.

Chairman Price and I, along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who also sits on the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, spent the entire day being briefed on initiatives that New York is taking to make our city and our state that much safer.

(L-R) Rep. Israel, Chairman Price, Gen. Taluto, Rep. Nita Lowey and Dep. Sec. Balboni met in NYC to discuss homeland security issues.

Stop One: Grand Central Terminal. Meeting with city, state and federal officials to discuss the BioWatch program. BioWatch uses bio-aerosol environmental monitoring systems to detect the threat of a biological attack in the early stages. This program runs in more than 30 cities all over the country.

Stop Two: Meeting with NY State and Michael Balboni, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety to discuss cyber security and NY-Alert, the state’s all hazard notification system that provides emergency information via email, text message, blast fax, etc.

Stop Three: Helicopter Tour over NY to view hardening efforts at various bridges and to view the current World Trade Center site.

Stop Four: Meeting with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, state and federal officials to discuss the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative and Securing the Cities. Congressman Peter King joined us at this meeting.

Stop Five: Penn Station to view a Securing the Cities demo.

All of these programs including BioWatch, Securing the Cities, Cyber Security, and others, are critical to New York’s safety. The federal money we receive is essential to funding these programs.

I am grateful Chairman Price decided to come to New York to view these integral sites and programs that are fundamental in keeping New Yorkers safe. We need a vigorous homeland security plan in this state and I believe we are moving in the right direction.