Schumer: Key Senate Committee Votes to Fully Fund Securing the Cities Program and to Keep Coast Guard Security Team in NYC; Schumer Fought to Restore Both Programs that were Zeroed Out by Administration

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has successfully secured full funding for both the Securing the Cities (STC) program and the elite New York City Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) unit in a key Senate subcommittee today. Earlier this year, the Obama administration, in its 2011 budget request, proposed elimination of both the STC program and funding for the NYC MSST unit, and planned to have NYC's MSST unit transferred to Boston. The full committee is expected to pass both appropriations tomorrow.

Schumer's efforts to restore the funding through the appropriations process significantly increases the likelihood that New York, which received the lion's share of STC funding in the 2010 at $18.5 million, will be in strong shape to continue building a security perimeter around new York City to detect radiological and nuclear devices. Additionally, today's committee action significantly increases the prospect that the elite Coast Guard unit that currently patrols New York City Harbor will stay put. The New York City based team is staffed by 90 Coast Guard personal and was assigned to patrol the harbor and surrounding waterways after 9/11. In February, Schumer called on the DHS to abandon its plan to transfer the security team.

"The recent effort to explode a bomb in Times Square was stark reminder that there are enemies at work that seek to bring murder and mayhem here and that New York is the number one terror target in the country. The funding approved today by the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee is recognizes this reality by targeting resources to fund vital security efforts here in the Big Apple," said Schumer. "The plan to eliminate funding for both programs was ill advised and I am pleased to have been able to convince the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee to vote to keep funding the STC Program and to keep the MSST team here in New York, where it belongs."

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.

The Coast Guard's Maritime Safety and Security teams (MSST) in New York performs both port security and harbor security missions, providing additional security for major events but also responding to specific treat activity. For example, when there is a reported threat against the Brooklyn Bridge or the Statue of Liberty, the MSST is charged with providing surveillance and guarding those areas. The team also provides security for other coast guard forces in ports and inland waters.

MSSTs are also responsible for boarding suspect vessels, patrolling critical infrastructure, escorting potentially hazardous cargo (i.e. liquid natural gas vessels, liquid propane gas vessels etc), and responding to unanticipated events such as natural disasters etc.

The plan to transfer the New York City MSST to Boston was part of a national consolidation proposed in the President's budget--with New York among the five teams designated to be eliminated or transferred. The budget also proposed eliminating teams in San Francisco, New Orleans, Anchorage, Alaska, and Kings Bay, Ga., which have now also been restored.

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