Nation's Capital's Anti-Terror Programs Scaled Back: Federal Funding Cut

[DeepModem Mom]

Washington Post: Local Anti-Terror Programs Scaled Back
Cuts in Federal Funding Force Changes to Security Projects
By Mary Beth Sheridan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Local officials will spend $4 million to relocate Metro's control center outside the District but will scale back other anti-terrorism projects -- from a regional communications system to the purchase of extra hospital beds -- because of a sharp decline in federal funds, according to an announcement Wednesday.

After weeks of discussions, officials released a breakdown of how they plan to spend a $46 million Homeland Security grant for the capital region. The grant amount, announced several weeks ago, was 40 percent less than the Washington area received last year, prompting outrage in an area targeted in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks....

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Among the biggest losers from the funding cutback is a high-tech regional communications system that would allow officials to exchange data -- such as maps of emergency sites -- over a secure network. Local authorities had hoped to invest $25 million in the system this year; instead it will get $5.5 million....

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Also reduced was funding for hospitals to buy extra beds and equipment to cope with a crisis. Last year that program disbursed $4 million locally; this year it will have $700,000....

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Some anti-terror programs got little or no money. For example, an $8 million plan to upgrade bomb squads throughout the region was scrapped. And no funds were provided to Prince George's County for a radio communications system that would allow communications with first-responders from surrounding counties and the District, which the county's homeland-security director called his "No. 1 priority."....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/19/AR2006071901454.html

[Drum]

1. Typical...

An old modus operandi, isn't it: Trumpet to everyone about how you're the only party about security and saving lives, swear loud oaths that our safety is your #1 concern, and then quietly cut or divert the funding.

Oh yeah...this again.

[cornermouse]

2. Does this mean Bush is ready to "sacrifice" Congress?

If so... :rofl:

[Ian David]

4. If this were a dictatorship, my job would be a lot easier...

That's ONE way to get rid of that pesky Congress, isn't it?

[cornermouse]

5. You have to wonder.

Fact is, I thought D.C. would be protected even if nobody else was, but I guess not that's not the case.

[Ian David]

6. I think we shouldn't bother to protect the Republican National Convention

That would be a good day for a "Blue Flu" to break-out.

[Drum]

3. Yes, I think the best time to buy hospital beds and emergency equipment

would be right after the crisis occurs (next best thing would be to blame the manufacturers and hospital administrators when we find out too late that these things are in short supply.) And, of course, the wait-to-act/spend-later strategy is handy when budgets are due.