Security Briefs - April 8 - April 14
The Latest Headlines:
- Railroads to Start Sending Electronic Manifests in July
- Distribution of Security Funds Upsets Some States
- Ridge: Private Sector Must Help Fund Security Efforts
- Coalition: 11 States Lag in License Security
- Distribution of Security Funds Upsets Some States
Railroads to Start Sending Electronic Manifests in July
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said rail shippers will have to start sending electronic manifests identifying their cargo before reaching the first stop beginning July 12.The rule, which was delayed because the government had to adapt its computer software, will help customs officials identify rail shipments that pose a potential terrorist threat, the Associated Press reported.
July 12 is the deadline for rail shippers calling at 24 ports of entry. However, those that call at four ports in Maine have until Aug. 10, and those at three ports along the Mexican border have until Sept. 9. Transport Topics
Distribution of Security Funds Upsets Some States
Officials in some states said they are not being treated fairly under a federal formula that determines how much grant money each state gets for homeland security needs, Gannett News Service reported.Under the formula, 40% of the money is divided equally among states, and the other 60% is distributed based on population, critical structures and known terrorism threats.
As an example, Wyoming will get $22.7 million in homeland security grant money this year, or $45.22 per capita, while Florida will get $157.5 million, or only $9.25 per capita.
And although a large percentage of the money goes to urban areas because of the higher level of risk, some officials said funding is also needed for small communities because its where terrorists are more likely to live, according to the article.
group of men who pleaded guilty last year to supporting a terrorist organization lived in Lackawanna, N.Y., with a population of about 20,000. Transport Topics
Ridge: Private Sector Must Help Fund Security Efforts
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said April 5 the federal government cannot afford to pay for all of the increased security measures needed to protect U.S. ports from terrorists, the Associated Press reported.The federal government plans to spend nearly $3 billion on security programs this year, but Ridge said the private sector will need to do its part.
Some port officials have said user fees will likely be required to help pay the cost of increased security, AP reported.
Ports and shipping companies are facing a July 1 deadline to have security programs in place for their docks and vessels or face potential fines. Transport Topics
Coalition: 11 States Lag in License Security
The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License said that 11 states have not done enough to prevent use of state driver's licenses and identity cards by terrorists.The coalition said in a statement the states with lax licensing requirements are Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Some 9/11 hijackers were in the United States illegally, but legally got Florida licenses, which they used to board the jets that they commandeered, the group said.
As it tries to tighten security, Oregon officials told the Associated Press it has redesigned driver's licenses to incorporate the latest in digital technology and make them harder to counterfeit.
The coalition noted the states at the lowest risk of license fraud are Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Transport Topics
