June 15, 2006

Washington, DC - Earlier today, Congressman Edolphus "Ed" Towns expressed disbelief over the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed funding cuts for its major grant program for the coming year.  Towns is specifically concerned about the dramatic drop in funding for New York's security measures, considering that DHS funds are to be distributed on an at risk-assessment basis.  Mr. Towns believes that given New York City's history, that should prevent the city from such a drastic cut in funding.

Towns is a senior member of the U.S. House's Committee on Government Reform, which held today's hearing on DHS security grants.  Echoing the comments of many other New Yorkers, Towns said, "While major state and local grant programs were cut from $2.34 billion in fiscal year 2005 to $1.67 billion in 2006 -- a 29 percent cut -- New York State's allocation was cut by 36 percent, from $290.2 million last year to just $183.6 million for FY2006.  If funding is to be based on a risk-assessment theory, This makes no sense." 

Towns cited New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly's desire to improve the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, which will now have to wait because of the funding cuts.  Towns went on to note that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg had planned to spend $111 million in the coming year to install a large-scale security system in the Wall Street area that would resemble London's downtown "Ring of Steel".  However, these security measures will have to be implemented in the future if at all.

In closing, Towns asked the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate New York's previous security grant allocation levels, saying " I know you stand by me in dreading the thought of another disaster in New York, and I respectfully ask you to do all you can to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers.  I look forward to further discussions about this with your agency."

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