Congressman: Homeland security anti-terrorism grant up $15M for region

Washington DC (Map, News) - The Washington region will receive $15.2 million more this year from a key homeland security grant program meant to shore up the area's preparedness against a large-scale terrorist attack, according to U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, who represents Northern Virginia.

Davis, R-District 11, said Friday he has learned this year's allocation from the Urban Areas Security Initiative grant, or UASI, will be $61.6 million, substantially more than last year's $46.4 million.

Davis also said Virginia will receive $23.4 million from two state grants - the State Homeland Security Grant Program and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program - $8.3 more than in fiscal 2006.

Those funds will aid local law enforcement and public safety.

"It's better, but it's not enough," Davis said in a statement. "This is the capital of the free world. We have to assume it is at or near the top of most terrorists' target lists."

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said, "No announcement has been made" about the grants, and he declined to discuss the Washington region's allocation.

The National Capital Region, which includes the District and surrounding suburban localities, has traditionally fared worse than other large urban areas in receiving UASI funds.

In fiscal 2006, the region was outmatched by the Los Angeles/Long Beach Area, which drew $80 million; the Chicago area, which took in $52 million; and New York City, which received the largest single allocation of any other urban area at $124 million, according to DHS.

"We're not at the point now where we can say we have enough money and we're prepared; we're far from that," said Vernon Herron, director of homeland security for Prince George's County. "Would we like to have more money? Absolutely."

Last year, Prince George's used $3 million from the grant to upgrade its radio system to a more powerful 700 megahertz for its first responders, Herron said.

Prince George's County's dissatisfaction is mirrored in other counties and cities surrounding the nation's capital.

"Most of our elected officials, certainly last year, had hoped to be more successful in the award of homeland security funds," said Jeanne Saddler, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

One federal official who asked not to be named warned that pre-announcement projections of what a region will receive by local lawmakers are subject to last-minute changes.

The UASI grants were created by congress in 2003 to aid local governments in terrorism preparation and response. The funds are administered through the Office of Domestic Preparedness within DHS.

wflook@dcexaminer.com