Schumer, Astorino: Slice of Vital Anti-Terror Funding Available to Westchester and Yonkers has Shrunk Dramatically in Last 5 Years; Calls on Feds to Boost Funds Available to Westchester, Yonkers and New York Back Up to At Least 25% of National Pot - Westc

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Schumer, Astorino: Slice of Vital Anti-Terror Funding Available to Westchester and Yonkers has Shrunk Dramatically in Last 5 Years; Calls on Feds to Boost Funds Available to Westchester, Yonkers and New York Back Up to At Least 25% of National Pot - Westchester and Yonkers Would Receive Addition $1.7 Million

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, joined by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino revealed that Westchester and Yonkers' share of the Department of Homeland Security's Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) has dropped dramatically since 2005. The UASI program helps major metropolitan areas and their surrounding communities coordinate among local law enforcement to better prevent and protect against potential terrorist threats. During an appearance at the Westchester Office of Emergency Management, Schumer called on Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to increase funding to New York City from the UASI program by at least $57 million, bringing the area's funding level to 25% of the total funding pool, which could bring an additional $1.7 million to Westchester and Yonkers.

Yonkers and Westchester are included in the New York Metropolitan Area UASI, which has seen its share of the national pot of all UASI funding fall from 25% in 2010 to 18% in 2005. 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 11th 2001, New York and the surrounding area remain the single greatest target for terrorist attacks in the United States. Despite this fact, the regional share of funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) has decreased by more than $56 million in the last five years. In 2010, of a total nationwide funding pot of $832 million dollars, New York is slated to receive only $151 million, representing only 18% of the total funding.

"The bottom line is, the New York Metro area 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, and guarantee $1.7 million in funding to Westchester and Yonkers, if not more."

"It is just common sense to put resources where they are needed most," said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "New York City and Westchester are inextricably linked in the fight to keep residents safe from terror attacks. Our roads, rail lines, water supplies, energy sources, communications networks and businesses are all tied together. So we must work with our regional partners to make sure there are no weak links in our security measures and we need the federal government to do its job by providing the necessary funding."

UASI funding is a critical component of the New York Metropolitan area's investment in anti-terror measures, but funding levels have failed to reflect the level of risk faced by the region Since 2005, New York Metro's funding levels under UASI have decreased by 28%. In a recent letter to Secretary Napolitano, Schumer called on the Department of Homeland Security to increase New York Metro's share to at least 25% of the available funding stream and bring it, at a minimum, in line with 2005 funding levels.

Bringing the New York Metropolitan area's percentage of USAI funding back up to 25% of the national pot would yield an additional $57 million for the region. In previous years, Yonkers and Westchester have received approximately $2.9 of the NY UASI funds. An increase of $57 million would therefore lead to an increase in $1.7 million for Yonkers and Westchester, bringing the total up to approximately $6 million.

Yonkers and Westchester are prime targets for terrorist activity because of their close proximity to New York City, the country's number one target for terrorists. Aiding Yonkers and Westchester law enforcement officials with an extra $1.7 million in anti-terror founding would provide a huge boost to the entire metro area's prevention efforts. The funding will allow local law enforcement to coordinate with officials in New York City to ensure that any potential threat is not using the areas of Yonkers and Westchester as a launching pad for a potential attack. The recent attempted attack on Time's Square shows that terrorist will use areas just a short drive outside the City as a planning ground for potential attacks making the case for increase UASI funding in Yonkers and Westchester all the more clear.

Just 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 the New York Metro Area'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.

Schumer added, "Terrorism is a national problem and New York is the primary target. New Yorkers cannot shoulder this burden alone. 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."

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