Homeland Security grants have some cities up in arms

The cities of New York and Washington will get less money in this year’s allocation of Homeland security grants, drawing harsh criticism from politicians in both areas, CNN reports.
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the recipients of $1.7 billion distributed through various programs to help states and cities prepare for potential terror attacks and natural disasters.
Department officials have changed the criteria used to award money under their programs, saying that instead of looking at population, they are trying to focus more on where risks exist. They are also taking into account how well municipalities have used past grants.
The department says there is risk throughout the nation and that preparedness dollars therefore need to be spread out.
One of the more controversial programs is the department’s Urban Areas Security Initiative, which is aimed at cities and for which $757 million is being distributed.
New York and Washington are getting less under that program this year. New York, for example, will receive nearly $125 million, a reduction of about $83 million.
Homeland Security officials pointed out, however, that New York is still the largest recipient in the program.
Washington Mayor Anthony Williams told reporters Wednesday he was disappointed that funding for the city and its suburbs was dropping from $77 million to $46 million, CNN reports.
Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, complained that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff had “promised to fight to increase New York’s formula, and here it is, we’re being whacked with a two-by-four and we don’t hear a peep out of Secretary Chertoff,” he said at a news conference.
To help federal officials make the allocation decisions, Homeland Security officials from throughout the nation participated in panels that reviewed various applications for grants and then made recommendations. The final decision, though, was left to the federal department.
The department says the funds can be used for planning, organization, equipment, training, exercises, management and administration costs.
For a breakdown of the Homeland security grants by city, Click here