DHS doles out $49 million for port security
More than 150 ports, terminals, municipalities and other entities with maritime infrastructure to protect from a potential terrorist attack will split $49 million in port security grants issued Monday by the Department of Homeland Security.
It is the fourth round of port security grants since terrorists struck the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, bringing the total disbursement to almost $565 million. Critics complain that not enough is being done to protect the nation from a terrorist attack on a port facility and that the amount of money spent so far is a fraction of the $5.1 billion (not including personnel costs) the Coast Guard conservatively estimates will be necessary to comply with a new federal maritime security law.
The grants cover upgrades such as surveillance equipment, access control technology for restricted areas, communications equipment and command and control facilities. The largest recipient was New York City, with $4.8 million.
