Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer’s Office
Senate Majority Leader Schumer (far l.) stands with fellow dignitaries at Monday’s ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial.
By Forum Staff
New York is set to receive more than $263 million in anti-terrorism funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, Empire State Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (both D-N.Y.) recently announced.
Initially, the senators announced $178,123,000 in Fiscal Year 2017 funding for the New York City area through the Urban Areas Security Initiative. In total, FEMA is providing $580,000,000 in UASI funds nationwide, and therefore New York has been allocated approximately 30 percent of the total pot.
According to Schumer and Gillibrand, the UASI program provides funding to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas. The money assists these localities in building sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
“New York is the number one terror target in the world, so we must continue to be vigilant,” Gillibrand said. “These anti-terror funds remain critical for our law enforcement to have the resources they need available in their efforts to protect and save lives. I will always fight in the Senate to make sure they are given the support they need to keep New Yorkers safe.”
In addition, $6,724,346 in UASI funding has been awarded to the New York City area for use by 91 nonprofit organizations that are considered high-risk targets to improve their security. In total, FEMA is providing $25,000,000 in these funds, and therefore the five boroughs have been allocated more than 25 percent of the total Nonprofit Security Grant Program funds.
The Senators also announced $76,930,000 in the State Homeland Security Program and $1,822,000 for Operation Stonegarden for New York. SHSP funding, according to the senators, supports the implementation of the strategies to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events. OPSG funding enhances coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement for security purposes.
“With ISIS-inspired attacks becoming more and more frequent across the globe, top terror targets like New York City must remain proactive and well-protected,” Schumer added. “Federal security funds, like UASI, are the cornerstone of effective preparedness and prevention against terror threats and enable local law enforcement, like NYPD, to do all they can to keep New Yorkers safe and secure. I have been a strong supporter for counter-terrorism funds in New York City and I will do everything in my power to continue fighting for these funds and make sure that New York is protected.”
