Mayor De Blasio, Police Commissioner Bratton And U.S. Senator Schumer Call On White House To Fully Restore Critical Anti-Terror Funds – Department of Homeland Security program provides funding to address needs of high-threat urban areas and protects against acts of terrorism
NEW YORK—Vowing to fight for anti-terrorism funding, Mayor Bill de Blasio, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and New York City’s Police, Fire and Emergency Management Commissioners called on Congress today to fully fund the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) program.
The UASI program provides funding to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas, and to assists these localities in building sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. UASI was recommended for a national funding level of only $330 million in the President’s request for Fiscal Year 2017, after being funded at $600 million in Fiscal Year 2016.
“Anti-terror funding is no place to cut corners. It is no secret that New York City is one of the world’s top terror targets – and the Urban Area Security Initiative helps ensure that we will be prepared for whatever dangers arise. As a city and as a nation, we cannot afford to lose this essential funding at a time when we face increased threats. New York’s tireless police force and first responders have done their part – now it’s time for our leaders in Washington to do theirs,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Officials explained that urban cities like New York City rely on UASI funds to maintain terrorism prevention and response infrastructure. The leaders explained that New York City has used a portion of UASI funds to support crucial First Responder Training efforts. Examples of this include the Fire Department’s Tiered Response Training and the Police Department’s Counter-Terrorism Training, such as the active shooter course.
UASI funds have also been used to pay for coordinated regional planning exercises throughout the New York City Metropolitan area. The exercises are designed to prepare and coordinate multi-jurisdictional emergency response related to a large and catastrophic event. UASI funds have been used on the Ground Law Enforcement Security Measures, which includes heavy-weapons teams that conduct ongoing patrols at transit hubs, airports, bridges, subways, waterways and highly visited landmarks.
