Mayor Lee Urges Against Cuts to Bay Area Security Funding
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Announces 38 percent Reduction in Funding for the San Francisco Bay Area Region, Compromising Ability to Advance Public Safety
3/9/12—Mayor Edwin M. Lee today urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its 38 percent reduction of funding for the San Francisco Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
“Reducing the Bay Area’s UASI funding compromises our ability to continue advancing public safety priorities, and will have a serious impact on our region’s ability to advance our public safety priorities and advance national homeland security goals,” said Mayor Lee. “In light of the significant risk and threat identified for Bay Area assets, as well as the critical programs funded by UASI to address them, I have joined Leader Pelosi in calling upon DHS to reconsider the Bay Area’s UASI funding cuts.”
“As our nation’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, a center for international commerce, trade and finance, and the home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Area is one of our nation’s most at-risk regions and, as such, deserves the appropriate investment of federal resources to ensure our region’s security and the safety of our citizens,” said U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
DHS has ranked the Bay Area UASI area as fourth in the nation for relative risk and Level 2 for threat. As a major metropolitan area with more than seven million residents and 16 million annual visitors, the San Francisco Bay Area is an important financial, technological, commercial and innovation hub for the nation.
The Bay Area has suffered a disproportionate reduction in UASI funding compared to other large urban areas with such risk. New York City did not receive any decrease in UASI funding, while the National Capitol Region, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and Chicago each received a 13 percent reduction from the prior year.
UASI funds help implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report and the Obama Administration priorities for public safety. These include improving interoperable communications for first responders and providing annual funding for law enforcement programs, including regional training and exercises.
3/9/12—Mayor Edwin M. Lee today urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider its 38 percent reduction of funding for the San Francisco Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
“Reducing the Bay Area’s UASI funding compromises our ability to continue advancing public safety priorities, and will have a serious impact on our region’s ability to advance our public safety priorities and advance national homeland security goals,” said Mayor Lee. “In light of the significant risk and threat identified for Bay Area assets, as well as the critical programs funded by UASI to address them, I have joined Leader Pelosi in calling upon DHS to reconsider the Bay Area’s UASI funding cuts.”
“As our nation’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, a center for international commerce, trade and finance, and the home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Area is one of our nation’s most at-risk regions and, as such, deserves the appropriate investment of federal resources to ensure our region’s security and the safety of our citizens,” said U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
DHS has ranked the Bay Area UASI area as fourth in the nation for relative risk and Level 2 for threat. As a major metropolitan area with more than seven million residents and 16 million annual visitors, the San Francisco Bay Area is an important financial, technological, commercial and innovation hub for the nation.
The Bay Area has suffered a disproportionate reduction in UASI funding compared to other large urban areas with such risk. New York City did not receive any decrease in UASI funding, while the National Capitol Region, Los Angeles/Long Beach, and Chicago each received a 13 percent reduction from the prior year.
UASI funds help implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report and the Obama Administration priorities for public safety. These include improving interoperable communications for first responders and providing annual funding for law enforcement programs, including regional training and exercises.