DHS Announces the Expansion of the Securing the Cities Program to Los Angeles/Long Beach Area

Press Release

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the expansion of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's (DNDO) Securing the Cities (STC) program to the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. The STC program is designed to enhance the nation's ability to detect and prevent a radiological or nuclear attack in cities facing the highest risk.

"Countering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "The Securing the Cities program is a key component of the Department's efforts to protect our nation by enhancing our ability to detect and interdict illicit radiological and nuclear weapons or materials in major metropolitan areas."

As part of the STC program, the Los Angeles/Long Beach area will receive a direct grant of $1 million and an additional $500,000 in training support, and will be eligible to receive additional funding pending Congressional appropriations to build a region-wide, robust nuclear detection capability.

Under the Securing the Cities program, DNDO will partner with the City of Los Angeles Mayor's office to develop a regional structure of law enforcement and first responder organizations to identify, prevent and respond to potential nuclear or radiological threats. DNDO will also assist regional partners in conducting training and exercises to further their nuclear detection capabilities and coordinate these with federal operations. Initial efforts in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area will focus on meeting the immediate needs of state and local agencies to develop baseline nuclear detection and reporting capabilities, including equipment and training.

The effort in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area is the first expansion of the STC effort since the program's inception. Securing the Cities began in 2006 as a pilot project for the New York City region, providing equipment, tools and training through cooperative agreements to the New York Police Department, which in turn distributes grant money to other participating agencies. STC has provided more than 8,500 pieces of detection equipment, trained nearly 13,000 personnel, and conducted more than a hundred drills.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.

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