Transit Agencies Work with TSA to Improve Security

Several New York regional authorities have teamed with TSA to increase security, focus on threats and to make funding available to the right people, for the right projects at the right time.

More than $3 billion in Homeland Security grants were recently announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Probably the best buy of these dollars was $153.3 million, which will be used for security training for front-line employees. These employees include bus and train operators, intelligence, terrorism-related exercises, public awareness campaigns, additional canine units, mobile screening and visible intermodal protection and response (VIPR) teams.

I believe partnerships like these are critical, not only for the industry, but for the end user, who in this case are emergency staff, law enforcement and many others involved in this type of work. The reason it’s so successful is because grants like these build on risk management, clarity and continuity. It’s also good to see the money going where people expect it to go -- guarding against the highest risks with a clear, focused strategy.

Here’s hoping the Department of Homeland Security and TSA will look at other cities, no matter the size, and realize that everyone deserves and expects funding that will secure all Americans, no matter where they live.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

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