AP Newsbreak: Homeland Security adds cities, regions to terrorism high-risk list

[darrels joy]

AP Newsbreak: Homeland Security adds cities, regions to terrorism high-risk list

Published: January 31, 2008


WASHINGTON: More cities across the country are considered at high risk of a terror attack, according to a new list of spending priorities from the Homeland Security Department.

Last year the department made 45 cities or regions eligible for a competitive counterterror grant program. This year, the list has been expanded to 60 areas that can apply for the nearly $782 million (€525.9 million) available, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The urban area grants are one of the department's most popular, and most intensely debated, programs. The department divides the regions at highest risk of a terror attack into two tiers. The seven highest-risk areas — including Los Angeles, California, New York City and Washington — will be competing for about $430 million (€289.2 million) this year. The remaining 53 will compete for about $352 million (€236.7 million). The department plans to announce the list Friday.

The list has grown and shrunk in recent years, based on decisions the department says are not the result of specific threats or worries but that reflect an overall analysis of threat data.

Some regions listed in the past were dropped more recently. For instance, Albany, New York, was put back on the list this year after being dropped in 2003.
Other regions added to the list this year are Rochester and Syracuse, New York; Austin and Round Rock, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bridgeport, Hartford, Stamford and Norwalk, Connecticut; Louisville and Jefferson County in Kentucky and an area across the Ohio River in Indiana; Nashville, Davidson County and Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Juan, Caguas and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; and Toledo, Ohio.



Every year, the list pleases and angers elected officials based on which cities are added or dropped. Those on the list receive money grants to prepare for terrorist activity. Many use the money for fire trucks and the like.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...ity-Grants.php
Notice that the cities added have been in the news but not necessarily/directly for terrorism issues.

[Robert Ryan]

I think homeland security needs to put the whole nation on the list. Not just cities.

[reconeil]

Still,...hope you weren't including both
Berkeley & Frisco into that: "The whole nation" bit?

Believe it much more sensible for Iranians, Mexicans, North Koreans
or Syrians to pay for Bay Area Security, instead.

Hey,...it's just plain stupid for U.S.Taxpayers to protect such weirdo ingrates!
Let their frilly wands, professors and some movie stars ward off any terrorists.

Neil

[Boats]

I would increase the security in other area such as power plants and water & food supplies.
Another key issue is our refineries - these dirt bags - will be found and shot on site forget the issue of imprisonment - those days are over. It's just more money to lock them up send them to ala and get it over with.