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Area grouping shrinks funds for The City
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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - In six years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Department of Homeland Security — an agency assigned to protect the U.S. from another terrorist attack on domestic soil — has grown to include 200,000 employees, managed by a budget that is more than $40 billion.
In 2003, the DHS began issuing the Urban Area Security Initiative grant, given to various U.S. cities to protect against the threat of terrorist attacks. However, since 2003, the money to San Francisco has decreased steadily.
San Francisco is one of seven urban areas deemed by the government to be Tier I targets — areas with a heightened threat of attack — and thus The City receives significantly more funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative grant than most U.S. metropolitan areas.
From 2003-05, the federal government awarded UASI grants to specific Bay Area cities, but in 2006, the funding was shifted to encompass the Bay Area to form a Super Urban Area Security Initiative.
The decision to combine the 10-county region was aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, according to DHS officials.
The grant money is now shared by the region, although San Francisco has been named the primary grantee and fiscal agent for the funding. Regions are also allowed to use the grant funding for preparations against natural disasters and other unforeseen events.
Since 2003, the DHS has doled out nearly $3.6 billion in UASI grants. San Francisco received $81 million from 2003-05, when it was the single recipient of the UASI grant. Since 2006, the Bay Area has received $62 million in SUASI grants.
Funding for San Francisco has decreased significantly since the 2006 merger. In 2003, the first year of the UASI grants, San Francisco received $28.5 million in grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security. In 2007, the entire Bay Area region received $34 million, and with the state claiming 20 percent of the funding to oversee the program, the actual total was just $27 million.
The deadline to apply for this year’s UASI grants was May 1. The federal government said it would announce the funding amounts for each region within 90 days after the application deadline.
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Examiner Reader said:
You reporters need to stop making this story bigger then what the story really is and put real information not false information to get the members of travelers program scared.This is the best program I have ever spent my money and I thank CLEAR for making my travel less of a headache.
8 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Not all services within DoD are utilizing. Costs implemented to private companies/contractors will in turn cost the government come time for contract renewals. System not HSPD-12 compliant and company not liable for misinformation given from background checks.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When and where did the competition for this acquisition occur? Why is DHS implementing a solution that is not compliant with HDPD-12 requirements?
4 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I am relieved to know that Anne Arundel County is safe from terrorist attacks. Maybe, just maybe, the focus should be on local crime and drug interdiction.
3 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The 20% retained by the State must be used for the direct benefit of the urban area. Only 3% can be used for management and adminsitration.
4 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Congress does everything under the sun to try to sabatoge our security, then sends him a bill asking for security? Send in the clowns! Forget it. They're already here!!!!
213 agree | 199 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It's the same bill.
171 agree | 190 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There's $3 billion worth in the Homeland Security Spending bill currently on its way to the House. It includes fence funding, border agent money and a bunch of other good stuff. The amendment containing the border money passed 89-1. Bush has said he will veto the bill - claiming "irresponsible spending" - I guess he would know - but most on the hill think that both houses have enough votes to override. Let's freakin' hope so!
180 agree | 196 disagree
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Me said:
When are they going to do something about the Mexican border? I mean protecting the ports, etc. is a joke!
180 agree | 139 disagree
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