In the News
September
15, 2005
Senator Murray Announces New Grants to Improve Security
WASHINGTON D.C., 15-September, 2005 --
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) announced that
the federal government will provide more than $7.2 million
to improve security throughout the Washington State Ferries
system.
The federal funding comes in the latest
round of Port Security Grants awarded by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security. The Bush Administration has repeatedly
tried to cut this program, but Murray has led the effort
in the Senate to maintain and increase port security grant
funding.
"These investments will help keep our ferries
safe and secure for everyone who rides them. Ferries are
a critical part of our state's transportation system, and
I'm pleased that we're taking steps to keep them safe," Murray
said.
Washington State Ferries will receive $6.4
million to improve access control and monitoring. The Washington
State Patrol will receive $64,340 to upgrade training facilities
for the explosive canine unit. The state ferry system will
receive an additional $63,800 to improve the Washington
State Patrol's Video Monitoring Stations. In addition,
the Bainbridge Island Police Department will receive $637,646
for video surveillance and fencing.
"This is going to help tremendously," said
Mike Anderson, Executive Director of Washington State Ferries. "Our
security needs have increased dramatically, and this funding
addresses security needs on our vessel and at our terminals.
The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority."
Senator Murray has been a long-time advocate
of both port security funding and Washington State Ferries.
Murray believes that the federal government must be a full
partner in ferry security and that the federal government
cannot pass the costs onto the state ferry system, the
Washington State Patrol, and Coast Guard.
This is the fifth round of Port Security
Grants. Since the program was created, Washington State
has received 71 awards for a total of $40,113,550 (including
today's announcement). The Bush Administration has worked
to cut funding for Port Security Grants. Murray has worked
to prevent those cuts. Most recently, in September 2004,
Senator Murray offered an amendment to provide more port security grants to meet the
high demand, but her amendment was defeated on a procedural,
mostly party-line vote.
On August 1st, Senator Murray announced
that she increased the federal investment in ferries
nationwide from $38 million this year to $67 million
in five years. Murray made the announcement with local
and state officials at the Colman Dock and at the Bremerton
Ferry Terminal.
Murray also succeeded in stationing
marine "Swat Teams" in the Puget Sound. Today, those
teams provide security for Washington state ferries and
are often seen alongside ferries.
For more on Port Security, see http://murray.senate.gov/portsecurity/
|
