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Mayor
Hahn and Local Mayors Working Together to Protect the Region
from Attacks
Federal grants will enable the Los Angeles urban area to purchase
equipment and enhance training |
June 24, 2004
Los Angeles – Mayor Jim Hahn today joined public safety officials
and mayors from Beverly Hills, Inglewood, Santa Monica, Torrance,
and West Hollywood to announce that the City of Los Angeles and
several neighboring cities have completed the final stage for millions
of dollars in Department of Homeland Security grants. The 2004 Urban
Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants will provide funds for equipment,
training and planning for Los Angeles and cities designated by the
Department of Homeland Security as part of the Los Angeles urban
area.
“Keeping Los Angeles safe is my top priority, and this would not
be possible without the coordinated efforts and participation of
our local and federal partners,” said Mayor Hahn. “Urban Area Security
Initiative funds will help further prepare our city and our neighboring
cities, and help us move forward so that we can remain vigilant
and ensure that Los Angeles is prepared in the event of an emergency.”
Administered by the Department of Homeland Security, UASI offers
financial assistance to address the equipment, training, planning,
exercise and operational needs of large, high threat urban areas.
The grant enhances Los Angeles’ capacity to prevent, respond to,
and recover from threats or acts of terrorism by helping to establish
regional response teams, reimbursing cities for costs related to
orange alert, and enhancing emergency operations centers in urban
area cities.
The Los Angeles Urban Area was designated for funds based on a combination
of factors including population density, critical infrastructure
and threat/vulnerability assessment. There are 16 cities in the
L.A. Urban Area.
“The City of Beverly Hills places a high priority on the safety
and protection of the community,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Mark
Egerman. “We are most fortunate to receive this grant funding as
it will allow us, along with other cities in the Los Angeles area,
to collectively enhance our abilities to prepare, prevent and respond
to acts of terrorism on a regional basis.”
“Homeland security measures at the local level are essential and
expensive,” said Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom. “California cities
responded in the wake of 9-11, but the state budget crisis coming
on the heels of the terrorist attacks has limited cities' ability
to do more. Without federal grants, urban cities like Los Angeles
and Santa Monica would be hard-pressed to maintain the status quo,
let alone improve on emergency response.
“Speaking on behalf of the Los Angeles County Police Chief Association,
we are pleased that the Urban Area Security Initiative funding,
along with the state homeland security grant funding, is making
its way down to the local front line service providers,” said Torrance
Police Chief Jim D. Herren. “Collaborating in this manner will have
a tremendous effect on increased equipment and enhanced training
for our first responders.”
“Urban Area Security Initiative funding clearly strengthens the
Countywide Mutual Aid program that combines police, fire and medical
services in the event of a terrorist attack,” said Los Angeles County
Sheriff Lee Baca. “I commend Mayor Hahn, Police Chief Bratton and
the City Council for effectively spending the tax payers dollars.
The money will clearly help county law enforcement better protect
citizens,” said Sheriff Lee Baca.
In total, the Los Angeles Urban Area has been awarded over $60 million
dollars through UASI. The City of Los Angeles has spent over $150
million for enhanced security, new equipment, and training for first
responders since September 11, 2001. In addition to training and
orange alert reimbursements, the funds will help urban area partners
purchase search and rescue equipment, hazardous materials equipment,
detection equipment and personal protective gear for first responders.
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Click here for more from the Mayor:
Mayor's
Office Press Releases
Office of Mayor James K. Hahn
200 North Spring Street, Room 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.lacity.org
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