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New cash coming for ports

Homeland Security infusion of almost $26M will help ports in NYC and New Jersey boost security projects

BY CAROL EISENBERG | Newsday Washington Bureau

September 25, 2006

WASHINGTON - New York-area ports will receive nearly $26 million next year to fortify themselves against terrorist attacks by land or sea, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will announce as early as today.

The increase in funding from $6.6 million to $25.7 million for anti-sabotage programs at the Port of New York and New Jersey reflects growing concern that a terrorist attack at a major port could inflict huge human and economic casualties, sources said. It is also an indication that federal officials are reassessing 40 percent funding cuts to New York anti-terror programs announced in June.

U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, confirmed the grant award last night.

"This is a solid victory for New York," said King, who led a congressional inquiry this summer into the funding cuts to New York and Washington in a program ostensibly targeted to high-risk urban areas.

"To me it's a great sign for the future that the department is realizing that New York does face the greatest threat and this is where the money should go. I think we're also seeing that Secretary Chertoff is putting his imprint on the grant process much more than he did in the urban area initiative money."

The focus of the grant program on protecting against port sabotage also reflects the assessment of the New York Police Department that the most likely current threat is an attack similar to the one launched against the U.S.S. Cole in October 2000 in Yemen, rather than a radiological device hidden in a cargo container. In the Cole attack, 17 sailors were killed and 39 injured when a small craft approached the port side of the destroyer, and an explosion ripped a 40-by- 40-foot gash in the ship's port side.

Homeland Security officials could not be reached for comment last night about how the grants were to be allocated. King said he was told that the money would go to fortify port perimeters and would also include the purchase of small patrol boats. Some money would also go to fortify security at chemical plants near ports, he said.

The announcement comes as the House and Senate are attempting to reconcile port security bills that would install radiological screening in 22 major U.S. ports and require the Department of Homeland Security to prepare trade-resumption plans in case a port is attacked.