Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today commended announcement of a $18 million federal grant for the New York Police Department (NYPD) through the Securing the Cities nuclear detection program.

“New York is our nation’s biggest, most populous, and most vibrant city, and remains a top target for terrorists around the world,” said Lowey.  “Securing the Cities provides critical funding to increase federal and local coordination and help discover and prevent a catastrophic attack.  I will work with Mayor Bloomberg and the New York Congressional delegation to ensure this funding and coordination continues.”

“Since 9/11, New York City has been the target of at least fourteen terrorist plots,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Thefunding provided by the Securing the Cities Initiative will ensure that the NYPD has the tools to detect nuclear or radioactive devices intended to harm the City.  I would like to thank Congresswoman Lowey and the entire New York delegation for their leadership in safeguarding this critical homeland security funding for New York City.”

Lowey, a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the only member from New York, has fought successfully each year to ensure Securing the Cities is funded to help protect New Yorkers from nuclear and radiological threats.

Funds are awarded to sustain developed capability, purchase equipment, and train personnel.  Previous allocations were used by NYPD and regional partners to coordinate and integrate detection and interdiction of nuclear materials that may be used as a weapon within high-threat, high-density urban areas.

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