Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded Monroe County more then $1 million to help first responders and county officials better prepare for, respond to and recover from potential acts of terrorism.
At the same time, Gov. George Pataki announced the city of Rochester will receive $500,000 in State Urban Area Supplemental Program (SUASP) funds to help pay for urban area-based homeland security projects.
"These funds will be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism," Reilich said. "I applaud Gov. Pataki for securing these funds for New York state and Monroe County."
According to Reilich, Monroe County will receive $1.1 million in DHS grants: $750,000 from the State Homeland Security Program and $350,000 from the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program.
Reilich noted the state officials are maximizing the resources available through the DHS grants by distributing the funds pursuant to a threat-based approach developed by the state Office of Homeland Security. The threat-based formula includes factors such as population, urban areas, state and national icons or symbols, risk assessments and critical infrastructure.
SUASP is a new state initiative announced by the governor. It is designed to support urban area-based homeland security programs that are coordinated by their respective county security initiatives and consistent with the state’s treat-based strategy. Rochester and two other cities in the state are sharing $3.75 million under this first-year program.
Assemblyman Reilich may be reached at his district office at 2300 W. Ridge Road, Rochester, 14626 or by calling (585) 225-4190.