HARTride 2012
July 20th, 2007, 02:09 PM
Tampa Bay Gets $8.61 Million Homeland Security Grant
By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 20, 2007
TAMPA - The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Tampa Bay region an $8.61 million grant.
Much of that money will help update the area's radio systems so rescue agencies within Hillsborough and Pinellas counties can better communicate with each other, Tampa police say.
The region, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, received $190,000 less than last year through the Urban Areas Security Initiative.
But Florida's other large metropolitan areas didn't receive nearly as much federal grant money as in previous years from the Department of Homeland Security. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando each received between about $3.4 million and $4 million less than last year.
'We were very, very lucky,' said Jane Castor, Tampa police assistant chief for operations.
'We're very pleased with the money we've received,' said Col. Gary Terry, who heads the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's department of investigative services. 'Especially considering how much other areas in the state of Florida have received.'
Overall, the Department of Homeland Security distributed $746.9 million to 46 high-density urban areas nationwide.
Seven areas designated as having a high risk will receive $410.8 million, or 55 percent of the money. Those areas are Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.; the San Francisco Bay area; Chicago; Houston; Washington, D.C.; New York City; and northern New Jersey.
New York City alone received $134.1 million.
Castor said the Tampa region thought Homeland Security's focus in issuing grants had shifted to more urban areas because they were viewed as more likely to received a terrorist attack.
As a result, she said, the Tampa region in this year's grant added Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hardee and Manatee counties.
That doesn't mean Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will receive less funding this year, Castor said.
'We're not going to get less each,' she said.
'We're just going to determine with the available funding how best to protect our area.'
Castor said updating radio systems locally must be a top priority.
Tampa police have an antiquated radio system, she said. When its system is improved, money will be spent to improve communications at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
'The first responders are our first line of defense,' she said. 'If you don't have the ability to communicate back and forth, we can be hampered greatly.'
Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/20/me-tampa-bay-gets-861-million-homeland-security-gr/
By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune
Published: July 20, 2007
TAMPA - The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Tampa Bay region an $8.61 million grant.
Much of that money will help update the area's radio systems so rescue agencies within Hillsborough and Pinellas counties can better communicate with each other, Tampa police say.
The region, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, received $190,000 less than last year through the Urban Areas Security Initiative.
But Florida's other large metropolitan areas didn't receive nearly as much federal grant money as in previous years from the Department of Homeland Security. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando each received between about $3.4 million and $4 million less than last year.
'We were very, very lucky,' said Jane Castor, Tampa police assistant chief for operations.
'We're very pleased with the money we've received,' said Col. Gary Terry, who heads the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's department of investigative services. 'Especially considering how much other areas in the state of Florida have received.'
Overall, the Department of Homeland Security distributed $746.9 million to 46 high-density urban areas nationwide.
Seven areas designated as having a high risk will receive $410.8 million, or 55 percent of the money. Those areas are Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif.; the San Francisco Bay area; Chicago; Houston; Washington, D.C.; New York City; and northern New Jersey.
New York City alone received $134.1 million.
Castor said the Tampa region thought Homeland Security's focus in issuing grants had shifted to more urban areas because they were viewed as more likely to received a terrorist attack.
As a result, she said, the Tampa region in this year's grant added Citrus, Sumter, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hardee and Manatee counties.
That doesn't mean Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will receive less funding this year, Castor said.
'We're not going to get less each,' she said.
'We're just going to determine with the available funding how best to protect our area.'
Castor said updating radio systems locally must be a top priority.
Tampa police have an antiquated radio system, she said. When its system is improved, money will be spent to improve communications at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
'The first responders are our first line of defense,' she said. 'If you don't have the ability to communicate back and forth, we can be hampered greatly.'
Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/20/me-tampa-bay-gets-861-million-homeland-security-gr/