TOPICS
TOPICS
Chertoff: Terrorism arrests justify shift in security funding
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday the arrests of seven men for allegedly planning terrorist strikes in Chicago and Miami justify the department's recent decision to spread urban area antiterrorism grant funding to more cities around the country.
Chertoff said the government needs to consider not only places that have traditionally been terrorist targets but also areas where risks have increased.
"We recognize that the risk is not evenly distributed throughout the country," he said, speaking at an event devoted to comparing government anti-terrorism operations to what is portrayed on the popular television series "24."
At the Heritage Foundation-sponsored event, Chertoff added: "We all agree that certain cities are at the highest risk. Does that mean that other cities have no risk? And I think the answer to that is no. And the proof of the pudding, frankly, is in the events of the last 24 hours."
The government Thursday arrested six men in Miami and one man in Atlanta. According to a federal indictment unsealed today, the men were charged with conspiring to use explosives to damage or destroy the Sears Tower in Chicago and an FBI building in Miami. Chertoff refused to take questions from reporters after his speech.
The department's recent grant allocations reduced urban area security funds for New York City and Washington, by 40 percent, outraging some lawmakers. Other urban areas, including Chicago, had their funding increased. Chicago's funding went from $45 million last year to $52.2 million. The Miami area was awarded $15.98 million, a slight increase over $15.82 million last year.
Chertoff added that the department this year put more funding into the northern part of New Jersey, which he said also benefits New York City. Chertoff also criticized those who believe the department should not put funding into smaller urban areas in the heartland of the country.
"I have two words to say to you: Oklahoma City," he said, referring to the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which killed 168 individuals.
COMMENTS
- "Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday the arrests of seven men for allegedly planning terrorist strikes in Chicago and Miami justify the department's recent decision to spread urban area antiterrorism grant funding to more cities around the country.” Look at the top twenty terrorist arrests since Sept. 11 and you will find that most do not end in a conviction for any terrorist activities! This is Chertoff and the administration attempting to shift the flow of public thought to their spending desires. Most terrorist arrests do not result in convictions on terror activities! This is the administration’s way of obtaining funds to buy votes by spreading money among their friends and supporters. This is similar to the HUD executive who only awards contracts to Bush supporters! The vice president and the administration continue to say that we have had no terrorist attacks since Sept. 11 and that proves the worth of their illegal phone taps and money tracking. Well Mr. VP, we have no elephant attacks either so keep up the good work. What a crock! Taxpayer Posted June 28, 2006 7:30 AM
- How many explosives and weapons did the FBI seize in this latest case? Were there any links to any known terrorists? While I commend the investigative efforts by the FBI that led to these arrests, the fact remains that these seven "wannabes" may have had the desire, but apparently not the wherewithal, to carry out their plans. I am sure that there are many in this country who feel like these misfits do, yet to spread precious dollars everywhere dilutes the whole anti-terrorism campaign. We know where terrorists have attacked, and where they still want to attack us. Just because some morons profess a desire to harm us, doesn't mean that the whole country has to go on high alert. Let's put our money where there is credible intelligence of real threats, not imagined or wishful ones! The billions of taxpayer dollars spent thus far on homeland security have not all been spent wisely, and much has been wasted, especially with the needless creation of the bureaucratic behemoth known as DHS. Unfortunately, that only leaves us with much less funding to prepare for the next real attack(s). GovExec.com reader Posted June 26, 2006 3:34 PM
- As a gratefully retired federal law enforcement officer who witnessed Sept. 11, I feel that all DHS monies should go only to larger cities. Who in the terrorist world wants to hit some cowtown in Wyoming? I'm not disparaging the people, but the old saying "more bang for the buck" seems to be holding true here. Larger cities with extensive infrastructure (subways, airports, trains, etc.) have historically been the targets of choice. Just precisely why does a small volunteer fire department in the heartland need a biohazard response truck? Put the money where the proven need is, period. GovExec.com reader Posted June 25, 2006 1:07 PM
