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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2003

SCHUMER: BUFFALO AWARDED OVER $10 MILLION IN NEW FEDERAL FUNDS TO COVER HOMELAND SECURITY COSTS

Schumer announces that Buffalo region is designated to receive $10 million thatCongress approved for areas most at risk for terrorist attacks

Schumer: Funds can be used for training, equipment for first responders

US Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Buffalo region has been awarded over $10 million to enhance its overall security and preparedness levels to prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism. Schumer said that 80 percent of the funds allocated to the state under this program must be awarded to the designated cities and contiguous counties within the urban area based on the strategic plan. The state may use the remaining 20 percent for further security enhancements within the urban area.

"This is good news that couldn't come too soon. If our local governments and law enforcement agencies are forced to increase security measures due to federal concerns like war and terrorism, the federal government should step in and help cover a good portion of these expenses," Schumer said. "New York State is a target that represents America, and the federal government acknowledged that fact today by stepping in to help cover the cost of security in Buffalo. Now I want to make sure that this money doesn't get caught up in a bureaucratic logjam. The feds designated this money to go to the Buffalo region, and that's where it should go."

The Department of Homeland Security today released $725 million that was allocated for homeland security as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) in the FY ’04 Budget. The distribution of the funds takes into account threats, population density and the presence of critical infrastructure. The urban areas are chosen based on a formula that takes into account factors like critical infrastructure, population density and credible threat intelligence information.

Buffalo was awarded $10,095,856, which according to the Department of Homeland Security, can be used to cover expenses including, but not limited to, equipment and training for law enforcement. Funding allocations among the cities, contiguous counties and mutual aid partners will be based on an urban area assessment and strategic plan. The other New York cities that received funds are New York City and Albany.

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