WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday said it had allocated more than $2.6 billion in grants to boost security in cities and states across the country.
The latest grant allocation distributes $1.66 billion to states based on population. The funds are to be used for equipment, training, planning and equipment.
Under the Urban Area Security Initiative, an additional $855 million was distributed to cities based on population, threat information and law enforcement activity.
The funds add to nearly $9 billion already delivered to state and local governments and “first responders” since the creation of the department last year.
“This funding enhances the preparedness of the entire nation while targeting resources where they are needed most,” said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. “State and local jurisdictions can expect even more support in the coming months.”
New York City, hit hard by the Sept. 11, 2001 hijacked airline attacks, was the largest recipient of cities’ grants. The department said New York received nearly $207.6 million plus $6.3 million for non-profit groups working in the area.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the funding was about four times what the city received last year.
“This will help us fund the police department’s ongoing counter-terrorism and intelligence operations and help us protect New York City, which everyone acknowledges is a prime target for terrorists,” Bloomberg said.
New York had been a vocal critic of the department for the formula it uses to disburse funds. New York and other cities seen as main targets for possible terror attack had argued against distributing the money solely on a population basis.
The Washington capital region received the second largest disbursement for cities followed by Los Angeles then Chicago.
Since the states were given funding on a per capita basis, California received the most followed by Texas then New York.