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GLENN D. CUNNINGHAM MAYOR CITY HALL JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302 TEL:(201) 547-5200 FAX:(201) 547-4288

JERSEY CITY-Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham announced today that the city's ability to respond to crisis throughout the region and the presence of its expanding critical infrastructure were acknowledged as the city became the recipient of $17.1 million in Homeland Security funding.

The Department of Homeland Security announced today that Jersey City will receive a total of $17, 112,311 as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), federal grants designed to assist urban areas in the United States to enhance their overall security and preparedness level to prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism.

"Primarily it's important to thank our elected officials such as Sen. Jon Corzine and Congressman Steve Rothman who witnessed Jersey City's response to the horrific attacks on 9-11 and the support we showed New York during the rescue and recovery phases," Cunningham said. "These funds are critical to our increasing ability to be the first responder to communities immediately in our region, including Manhattan, and to enhance our abilities to prevent and respond to the unpredictable within our own boundaries as well."

With Jersey City's critical infrastructure, communications network, financial houses along the waterfront and transportation hubs, Cunningham began the groundwork for developing a municipal division of homeland security nearly a year ago, which included an infrastructure security assessment by top professionals in the field.

Jersey City's response to lower Manhattan September 11, 2001 included the treatment of thousands who fled across the Hudson River to safety. Jersey City also established a seven-thousand strong lifeline of supplies and manpower to Manhattan during the rescue/recovery efforts.

Jersey City's first-responder status was again tested shortly thereafter when numerous municipalities in the region were besieged with Anthrax threats. Jersey City responded to nearly a thousand calls to investigate and recover suspicious items.

The Department of Homeland security determined the grant sums cities across the country would receive through a formula that took into account a city's population density, critical infrastructure and credible threat information.

"Our police and fire departments have been increasing trained to handle all situations, even the unpredictable," said Cunningham, referring to the recent Weapons of Mass Destruction Drill held in city limits just months ago. Newark also received $15 million in grant funding.///

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