DHS to Distribute $445 Million among Cities

Once again, the federal government is planning to distribute millions of dollars to US cities to help protect ports, subways, rails and other infrastructure from possible terrorist attacks. But will this year be different from any other years?

The Associated Press’ Donna de la Cruz is reporting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the grants last week, and said that while the Department will be handing out the grants in the spring, recipients will need to submit thorough plans on how they will use their money to reduce risk.

“Nearly half the grant money, $201 million, would be used to secure ports and subway systems, including Amtrak,” de la Cruz says. “The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would get the biggest share of those funds, $27.2 million.”

Other areas that will get a big chunk of the money include the New Orleans region ($17.3 million), the Houston area ($15.7 million), Washington, D.C., and Baltimore ($18.5 million), Boston ($15.3 million), and San Francisco ($13.8 million.)

“Transit funding this year includes 19 ferry systems in 14 regions in California, Connecticut, southern New Jersey and Delaware, northern New Jersey and New York City, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington state,” de la Cruz adds.