DHS issues progress report

DHS issues progress report    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday released a progress report on efforts to protect the nation from terrorist attack on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 Commission report that spurred many changes in domestic security policy.
   The 12-page report is essentially a laundry list of well-known developments and steps taken by the department in an effort to improve information sharing, technology development, fiscal responsibility and security programs.
   In the freight arena, for example, DHS said the Transportation Security Administration now screens all cargo on more than 95 percent of all flights originating from U.S. airports on its way to 100 percent coverage by August 2010. The actual percentage of cargo screened is less than 95 percent at this point because the program for approved private sector parties to help screen cargo is still be implemented.
   On the maritime side, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has 1,200 radiation portal monitors deployed at ports of entry around the country and scans 98 percent of containers and trailers arriving in the United States, including all vehicles arriving at the southern border, 98 percent of vehicles arriving at the northern border and 98 percent of containers exiting seaports. All major ports have the equipment and the 2 percent difference accounts for some small ports of entry that do not have the technology because of their small volumes.
   As of July 14, CBP has seized more than $81 million in currency in outbound vehicles as part of its Southwest border initiative to combat drug traffickers.
   The full report is available here.