Press Release
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For Immediate Release |
Contact: (202) 225-3965 |
| CROWLEY, SCHUMER: MILLIONS IN NEW HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDING COMING TO NYC -- MAJOR BOOST FOR HIGH THREAT AREAS, TRANSIT, AND PORTS |
House and Senate Set to Approve DHS Funding Bill Next Weeks -- Crowley, Schumer Fought to Increase Funding for Programs Critical for NYPD to Secure NYC
Millions in New Funding Help Protect Against New Homegrown Threats New York, N.Y. — In light of Najibullah Zazi’s efforts to stage a terrorist attack against New York City's mass transit system, U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that New York City is in line to receive millions in additional security funding to protect our city against terrorist attacks. Rep. Crowley and Sen. Schumer were joined by NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at the City Hall/Brooklyn Bridge subway station in downtown Manhattan. Schumer and Crowley said that the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, set to be considered and passed by Congress next week, will, in addition to funding already approved as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery, ensure a record investment to beef up security in high threat, metropolitan areas. “New York City must always be vigilant, and thankfully we have the best police force in the world working 24/7 to protect our citizens and to disrupt terrorist attacks before they happen,” said Congressman Crowley. “Constant surveillance, trained personnel and up-to-date equipment, however, require significant funding. Working with President Obama and our colleagues in Congress, I am proud to have helped secure significant Federal funding once again for New York City’s law enforcement officers, who keep subway stations like this across the city safe for all riders. We are proud of the work of our first responders and we are dedicated to providing them with the financial support they need to do the great work they do. Thank you to my good friends Senator Schumer and Commissioner Kelly for joining me here today to rally support for increased homeland security funding for our city.” “With new threats emerging right here in New York City, this new funding will be critical to help law enforcement beef up and modernize its security systems. This legislation puts the New York City metropolitan area in line to receive millions in new federal funding to purchase new equipment, conduct advanced research, and hire new officers. We can never let down our guard and the best way to ensure that we never do is to give the NYPD and other law enforcement the resources they need get the job done,” said Senator Schumer. Since 9/11, Rep. Crowley and Sen. Schumer have spearheaded efforts in Congress to help New York City equip its first responders, increase surveillance efforts and prevent terrorism. In 2002, Rep. Crowley and Sen. Schumer led the creation of a new grant program, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which provides special support to communities under the greatest threat of attack. Since 2002, New York City has received almost $1 billion in additional funding through UASI. Furthermore, Rep. Crowley and Sen. Schumer have helped NYPD increase police patrols in subways and mass transit areas by securing $35.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds and $153.2 million in Transit Security Grant Program funds in FY2009. Prior to the creation of UASI, there were no Federal domestic security grant programs that distributed funding solely on the basis of threat and risk – not politics or partisanship. In Fiscal Year 2009, New York City received over $145 million in UASI grants, totaling over $952 million since the program’s inception. Starting next week, the House and Senate will work to finalize legislation that will direct hundreds of millions in additional funds to New York City for 2010. This year’s Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill includes more than $4 billion in additional homeland security grants targeted to the needs of high-threat, metropolitan areas. In total, the bill includes $4.17 billion in security grants, including nearly $900 million in high threat urban area direct grants, $300 million to improve transit security, and $300 million for port security. These allocations are in addition to funding allocated to similar programs in the economic stimulus package making this a record investment in homeland security. ### |