Serrano, Lowey Announce $12 Million Nuclear Detection Funding for NYPD

Washington, DC – September 28, 2009 – Today Representatives José E. Serrano and Nita M. Lowey announced that they had secured $12 million for the NYPD to bolster “Securing the Cities,” a nuclear device detection program. Both Representatives serve on the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee.

“New York City is always atop terrorists’ list of targets, so we have to work especially hard to thwart attacks,” said Rep. Serrano. “This $12 million will pay to continue to develop the radiation detectors that keep us safe from the threat of dirty bombs. Besides protecting us, this program is a vital testing ground for the strategies and technologies that can later be deployed to other cities in our nation. I am proud that Nita Lowey and I were able to ensure that this vital funding was prioritized in the DHS budget. This project is simply too important to fall to the bottom of any list.”

“New York remains a top target for terrorists around the world, and I am pleased we have secured critical funding to help prevent a catastrophic attack,” said Lowey.  “This is an example of coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies that is so critical to discovering threats and preventing them from coming to fruition.  I will work with Congressman Serrano and the rest of the New York delegation to ensure this funding is signed into law.”

Securing the Cities is a program to protect New York City from a radiological or nuclear device. It has been operating in New York and the tri-state area for the past three years and has trained and equipped anti-terrorism units. It has been jointly funded and run by federal, state, and local governments. The lessons learned from the program are expected to be used in other cities around the nation. Serrano and Lowey have successfully fought each year to secure federal funding for this initiative, because of both its local and national importance.

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