DHS Awards $202.3 Million in Port Security Grants

May 16, 2007
The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) will provide the funding to 183 public and private entities to create sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect

The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) will provide the funding to 183 public and private entities to “create sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism.” About 60% of all of the PSGP funding is eligible to go to eight of the highest risk port regions in a Tier I group, for a total of $120 million.

Priorities include training, exercises and other activities to mitigate the risk of improvised explosive devices as well as improving the credentialing of employees and access controls. The DHS grouped some ports together because of geographic proximity, shared risk or a common waterway.

An additional $11.6 million was allocated to the Trucking Security Grant Program (TSP) that is operated cooperatively with the American Trucking Associations. The TSP trains truckers and other highway professionals to identify and report security and safety situations on U.S. highways.

In reflecting on costs for training, technology and equipment needed for programs to identify employees and regulate access, things like Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card readers, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), Kurt Nagle, called for more annual appropriations, particularly for facilities that need to implement the TWIC program.

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