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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2003

SCHUMER: NEW YORK CITY GETTING OVER $64 MILLION IN NEW FEDERAL FUNDS TO COVER HOMELAND SECURITY COSTS

Every penny counts but Schumer says the Federal government needs to do more to help New York City cover its special security needs

New homeland security funding is for areas like New York that are most at risk for terrorist attacks – New York is getting almost twice as much as any other city

US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that New York City is getting over $64 million in homeland security funds to help prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism. New York is getting nearly ten percent of the $725 million being awarded to cities throughout the US today, almost twice as much as any other city. The next closest city – Chicago – is getting about 5 percent.

"I'm grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for helping New York out more than any other city. But the sad fact is that New York remains the number one target for terrorists and the cost of the security measures we need to take in order to prevent an attack can be prohibitive. The bottom line is that every penny counts, but New York's security expenses are enormous and we need the Administration to do a better job of recognizing that."

Of the $64 million, $47 million will be used for overall security and terrorism preparedness. The funds are part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and were allocated based on the degree of the threat to that region, population density and the presence of critical infrastructure. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the funds can be used to cover expenses such as critical infrastructure security, training, exercises, equipment, and information sharing.

In addition, New York City is getting almost $17.6 million for mass transit security agencies to help enhance security. The following agencies are receiving:
• $10 million is being allocated for the New York City Transit Agency
• $2.7 million for the New York Long Island Rail Road
• $2.69 million for the New York Metro – North
• $1.25 million for the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey
• $800,000 for the Staten Island Railway

The funds can be used for the installation of physical barricades, area monitoring systems such as; video surveillance, motion detectors, thermal/IR imagery and chemical/radiological material detection systems, integrated communications systems and prevention planning, training and exercises. If not already completed, each transit system would be required to conduct an assessment and preparedness plan on which to base resource allocations.

The other New York cities being awarded funds are Albany and Buffalo – Albany is being awarded $6.8 million and Buffalo is being awarded $10 million to cover security costs.
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