New Jersey homeland security programs to get $158 million

Eleven homeland security programs in New Jersey will share nearly $158 million to help secure urban areas, ports, transit centers and other high-risk spaces.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the money will also go toward improving emergency communication and response across the state. Sen. Frank Lautenberg made the announcement yesterday.

“These homeland security grants invest in the safety of our communities by providing critical resources to protect against and prepare for potential terrorist attacks,” he said.
“Our state is home to the most vulnerable area in the country for terrorism and it is critical that adequate funding is provided to our country’s most at-risk areas.

The Transit Security Grant Program will see the most funds — $51.7 million — to split among the the Port Authority of New York, New Jersey Transit and the Delaware River Port Authority.

The Port Security Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, UASI Nonprofit Security Grant Program, State Homeland Security Program, Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program, Emergency Management Performance Grant, Metropolitan Medical Response System, Citizen Corps Program, Drivers License Security Program and Intercity Bus Security Grant Program will also get some of the funding, which is part of the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.