Senator Golden Urges U.s. Department of Security to Allocate Funds to Expand Lower Manhattan Security Initiative to Times Square

Brooklyn - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a former New York City Police Officer, today has sent a letter to Rand Beers, Undersecretary for National Proection & Program with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, urging the federal government to allocate funding to New York City to expand the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative to include Times Square.

Senator Marty Golden is a member of the New York State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Military and Veteran Affairs.

A copy of the letter is below.

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May 6, 2010

Mr. Rand Beers

Undersecretary for National Protection & Program

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Mr. Beers,

As we continue to learn more about the failed bomb attempt in New York City’s Times Square, we are reminded that New York City remains the Nation’s number one terrorist target. As such, as a member of the New York State Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Military and Veteran Affairs, I am compelled to write you and urge the federal governments financial support for plans developed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Police Department designed to assist in efforts to fight terrorism.

We are fortunate that New Yorkers were vigilant and it is only because they saw something, and said something, a major tragedy was narrowly averted in Times Square. We must also compliment and applaud the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department, who within seconds, responded and took control of Times Square, ensuring the safety of all those there that evening.

I urge the Obama Administration to allocate funding for the purpose of expanding the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative (LMSI) to Times Square, as well as all high visibility areas within New York City. We all agree that downtown is a safer place because of the funding that has enhanced our security through the installation of cameras and other surveillance monitoring equipment and technology. Let’s provide all New Yorkers with the same level of protection.

Unfortunately, the federal government has and is considering further reductions in homeland security funding for New York City. At the same time, New York’s efforts to expand the Initiative to midtown, have received little support on the federal level. I would urge you to allocate the $92 million necessary to get the program in place, and additional funding thereafter to maintain it, so that we can cloak 34th Street to 59th Street, from river to river in Manhattan, with 3,000 surveillance cameras, so to monitor this area 24/7.

The attempted bombing in Times Square this week may have been averted, but the dangers for tomorrow are increasing. New Yorkers, and tourists from around the world, need to know that everything is being done to protect them. With your support, a funding partnership can be created between the federal, state and city, which will be necessary in order to have the Times Square area home to state of the art surveillance.

Additionally, I oppose the Obama Administration’s plan to eliminate a $40 million program known as “Securing Our Cities” that would create a ring of radiation detectors around the City to monitor for nuclear and dirty bombs. Funds to support efforts to combat terrorism in New York City should not be part of budget cuts, yet at the same time, such funds should be considered for an increase.

There are other programs which Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly are considering for New York City so to keep us safe and I would urge the Obama Administration to support these initiatives as well.

Thank you for your attention and I do look forward hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Martin J. Golden

State Senator

Cc: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly