Schumer Outlines Three Point Plan Where Washington Can Step Up to The Plate to Provide Security to New York; in Aftermath of Times Square Bombing, It's Clear New York is a Target and Feds Not Fulfilling Their Role

Press Release

"We live in a world where the threat of terrorism is all too real and we cannot fail to provide law enforcement like the NYPD the resources they need to keep our citizens safe," Schumer said. "The Times Square car bomb scare should be a stark reminder to the Administration and the Department of Homeland Security that New York City is still the number one target of terrorists and still needs the most support. We need to restore funding for the Secure the Cities initiative and we need to do more to enable NYPD and others to detect and stop conventional explosive devices before they are used to maim and kill innocent people."

First, Schumer is calling on the Obama administration to fully fund the "Securing the Cities" program. In February, the Obama administration submitted a budget proposal that sought to end the program by eliminating its funding. While the administration funded the program in FY2009 to the tune of $30 million, it eliminated the program altogether in its FY2010 budget. Schumer was able to help restore $20 million to the grant program, $17 million of which went to New York City's ring of steel program. Once again the administration has zeroed-out the program. Schumer, along with others, are working to fund the program to the tune of $30 million.

Securing the Cities is a federally funded effort to protect New York City from the threat of a nuclear device or a radiological dispersal device, also known as a dirty bomb. Past funding has ensured that law enforcement institutions will have the resources to prevent a terrorist attack, and that vital infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, will be protected from the threat of an enemy nuclear attack.

New York City was the first site for the Securing the Cities program, which creates a multi-layered ring of sensors throughout the tri-state area. Sensors at highways, toll plazas, bridges, tunnels, and waterways can detect radioactive and nuclear material before it enters the City. Detection devices have already been placed at major entry points into the City and distributed to law enforcement partners in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Additional funding is needed to purchase more sensors, link the equipment, and conduct training exercises.

Secondly, Schumer is also asking the administration to expand the STC program beyond radiological and biological detection to begin exploring methods of how to better detect explosive devices, like the one found in Times Square Saturday night. Schumer says the bomb found in Times Square would be more difficult to detect by current the STC infrastructure and New York City must be protected from all types of bombs. He is calling for a crash research program to put in place methods for detecting explosive devices.

Third, Schumer is also calling on the administration to provide additional federal funding for Police Commissioner Ray Kelly's mid-town surveillance program, which would use security cameras and license plate readers to record and track every vehicle moving between 34th and 59th Streets. The NYPD secured a $24 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security last year but is in need of additional funding to complete implementation. Schumer is asking for an increase in funding for the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI), State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), andTransit Security Grant Program (TSGP) to cover the additional costs.

Schumer added, "There is nothing more important than keeping New Yorkers safe from an attack. If anything was made clear on Saturday night, it's that New York is a target. We need to do everything in our power to deliver the funding to protect New Yorkers."

Source