New York City's share of federal anti-terrorism money has fallen over the past five years despite evidence that the city remains a top target for terrorists.
Senator Charles E. Schumer tonight revealed that New York City’s share of the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) went from 25% of the total funding pot in 2005 to 18% in 2010. The failed attempt last weekend to detonate a bomb in Times Square was a disturbing reminder that, nearly a decade after the attacks of September 11, 2001 New York City remains the single greatest target for terrorist attacks in the United States.
“The bottom line is, New York City continues to be the number one target for terrorism in the United States and federal anti-terror funding needs to reflect that reality,” said Schumer. “I am calling on the Department of Homeland Security to increase New York’s funding share from the Urban Area Security Initiative to at least 25% of the total funding pot, if not more.”
Schumer is not alone, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg last week spoke more than once on the need to increase the city's share of federal counter-terrorism money.
"It's been said that when you find a terrorist, he'll have a map of New York City in his back pocket and that was a conversation I was having in Washington last night," said the mayor during a middle of the night news conference following the failed car bomb in Times Square on May 1.
Schumer is calling on Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to increase funding to New York City from the UASI program by at least $57 million, bringing the City’s funding level to a minimum of 25% of the total pot, if not more.
Last week, Schumer called on the Obama administration to fully fund the “Securing the Cities” program, which was zeroed out for FY2011. Schumer was successful in delivering $18.5 million from the program for New York City’s radiological testing program. Once again the administration has zeroed-out the program. Schumer is working to fund the program to the tune of $30 million.
“Terrorism is a national problem and New York is the primary target. New Yorkers cannot shoulder this burden alone," added Schumer. "It’s imperative the Department of Homeland Security provide appropriate levels of funding so that the NYPD can do everything possible to make New York safe and secure.”
Bloomberg will travel to London tomorrow night to survey their state of the art security system.
