U.S. Allocates $725 Million to Secure 50 Cities

November 13, 2003

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday it had allocated $725 million to boost security in 50 cities across the country.

In a move that spreads funds from the 2004 budget to 20 more cities than originally planned, the department allocated $675 million through grants to select cities. The remaining $50 million was earmarked for grants to boost security on mass transit systems.

The New York city area, hit hard by the Sept. 11, 2001, hijacked airline attacks, received about $47 million -- the largest share of the funding but less than a third of the federal funds in received for security last year.

Chicago had the second largest chunk with $34 million while the Washington, D.C., region received $29 million and Los Angeles was granted about $28 million.

The cities are chosen based on a formula that takes into account factors including critical infrastructure, population density and intelligence information regarding the credible threat of a possible attack on that area.

Some New York lawmakers criticized the government for cutting back on funds to high-risk cities like New York.

"Shortchanging American cities at the top of the terrorists' lists is no way to fight a war on terrorism here at home," said New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney, chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security.

The $47 million is a sharp drop from the $150 million in federal funds New York City received for security in 2003.

Homeland Security officials said the department had decided to spread out the funds to more cities across the country, and noted that New York City had received more money than any other city in federal funds.

In addition to some of the largest urban areas in the nation, the program also allocated funds to smaller cities including $6.3 million to San Antonio, Texas, $6.5 million to Richmond, Virginia, and $6.9 million to Albany, New York.

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