TSA Works with New York Transit Agencies To Increase Security
News & Happenings
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February 6, 2008
Like the old song goes, "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere...New York, New York." TSA and several New York regional authorities have come together during the past 12 months to greatly increase security through enhanced collaboration, better focus on threats and making money available to the right people, for the right projects at the right time.
To illustrate these critical partnerships, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff – accompanied by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and a host of other local and regional officials – announced more than $3 billion in Homeland Security Grants from Grand Central Station on Feb. 1. Of particular local interest was the $153.3 million in 2008 grants for the region that will go directly to security training for front-line employees like bus and train operators, intelligence, terrorism-related exercises, public awareness campaigns, additional canine units, mobile-screening and VIPR (Visible Intermodal Protection and Response) teams.
"We are going to continue to build on ... risk management, clarity and continuity," said Chertoff, "... to make sure the money goes where people expect it to go against the highest risks to build the best capabilities in accordance with a clear, focused and disciplined strategy."
Last year, TSA joined the Greater New York/New Jersey/Connecticut Regional Transit Working Group to streamline the process of applying for federal funds to assist in securing one of the nation's most dynamic transit systems – with bus, rail, ferries, ports, subway and law enforcement in the tri-state region. The working group became a nationally recognized leader of transit-security cooperation.
The group works to identify regional threats, vulnerabilities and consequences first, and then directs funding to address these threats. The working group has fully incorporated TSA's model into its security strategy, including regional vulnerability assessments, information sharing, and developing cost-effective projects that have an immediate impact on risk and yield high returns on investment.
TSA, through its Transportation Sector Network Management office, works in partnership with other Homeland Security agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to effectively manage transit and port security grants – which account for more than $770 million of the 2008 grants. The grants are for states, territories, urban areas and transportation authorities. Fourteen federal programs are involved. The New York grants are provided under the federal Transit Security Grant Program.
