President Obama's proposed budget pulls funding for NYPD nuclear threat anti-terror pilot program
BY ALISON GENDAR
NY Daily News
May 8, 2009
NYPD officials have found some troubling fine print in President Obama's proposed budget.
The budget released Thursday proposes pulling funding in 2010 for the "Securing the Cities" program that the NYPD is using to develop a system to detect and repel radiological or nuclear terror threats.
The NYPD has already received more than $53 million in Homeland Security Department grants for the effort, including $20 million this year.
It has used the money to arm officers and vehicles with radiation detectors and to recruit other law enforcement agencies to form a protective ring around the city.
"It's disappointing, to say the least, after so much has been invested in a program with so much promise," said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
"New York City remains first on the terrorists' target list. Protecting it against the infiltration of nuclear devices is still a project worthy of federal support," Kelly said.
Obama's budget does not continue the three-year pilot program.
Federal officials said the NYPD could apply each year for Homeland Security grants to keep the program going.
Rep. Peter King (R-L.I.) said it makes more sense to dedicate money for the necessary program than to roll the dice every year asking for money.
"It's our job in Congress to get the money restored," he said.
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