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Protecting
LA from Terror
Operation Archangel
July 2004
Mayor Jim Hahn announced that the city will receive $3 million to
identify critical sites that could be targeted by terrorists and
to develop plans to prevent attacks and respond to emergencies.
“Los Angeles could be a target, there’s no doubt about it,” Mayor
Hahn said. “We all know about the plot to attack LAX during the
millennium and Los Angeles is home to the nation’s busiest seaport,
a diverse population and high profile events like the Oscars. Operation
Archangel will help us identify likely targets, develop security
plans to prevent attacks, and set plans in place that will help
us respond to any incident.”
Los Angeles is the first city in the nation to receive funding for
a program of this kind. The implementation of Operation Archangel
will serve as a national model that will be replicated across the
country. City officials and law enforcement personnel joined Mayor
Hahn at Staples Center for the announcement.
“Los Angeles’ critical infrastructure goes beyond power plants and
water mains and includes facilities like Staples Center, which generates
millions of dollars for our economy and is, thanks to the Lakers,
an internationally-known symbol of Los Angeles,” Mayor Hahn said.
“Operation Archangel brings government and the private sector together
to make sure that all of Los Angeles’ critical assets are protected.”
The $3 million is being awarded through the 2004 Urban Area Security
Initiative Operation Archangel grant. Operation Archangel is a partnership
among the City and County of Los Angeles, the California State Department
of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Los Angeles Police Department will be the lead agency implementing
this grant program.
Operation Archangel is divided into five distinct, yet integrated
initiatives:
| 1. |
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Critical
Asset Identification and Prioritization- to establish a list
of critical infrastructure and guidelines for resource allocation
and other decisions in the planning process and after an incident. |
| 2.
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Public
and Private Partnerships- to prevent and deter terrorism and
mitigate the effects of terrorist actions in regard to publicly
and privately owned infrastructure. |
| 3. |
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Critical
Incident Assessments- to create a database of possible targets’
vulnerability, location, and pre-incident plans. |
| 4. |
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Critical
Incident Information Management System- to develop technology
to assist on-scene incident commanders. |
| 5. |
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Exercises
and Training- to implement and maintain a state of readiness
in the Los Angeles area. |
“Since
September 11, 2001, the City of Los Angeles has spent well over
$150 million for enhanced security, new equipment, and training
for its first responders,” Mayor Hahn said. “Thanks to these investments,
improved cooperation with state and federal authorities, and the
creation of a terrorism czar in the LAPD, Los Angeles is one of
the best prepared cities in the nation. Now, Operation Archangel
will help us further prepare our city to meet the challenges of
any emergency. I would like to thank the Department of Homeland
Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness for awarding us this
grant.”
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