County’s Homeland Becomes $600,000 More Secure

HAMILTON — Cape May County is about to get over $600,000 for security.
The state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness announced Aug. 6 that it would be distributing more than $22 million in federal homeland security funds to its 21 counties, including $627,168 to this county.
In a press release, Homeland Security Director Richard L. Cañas said the counties would receive $2.9 million, or 15 percent, more funding than last year.
“Our distribution formula follows the Governor’s mandate to allocate these funds where they will do the most good based solely on risk,” Cañas said. “The additional dollars going directly to each of our 21 counties will result in additional equipment, programs and training for first-responders to better protect our people and our critical facilities.”
“County and local law enforcement and emergency response personnel serve on the front lines working to prevent, respond and recover from any disaster, including a potential terrorist attack, ensuring they have the resources they need is a top priority for my administration,” Gov. Jon S. Corzine said in the release.
Homeland Security officials said the distribution formula is based on a combination of asset-based risk, geographic-based risk and population density.
This is the second year that this county has seen substantial funding after years of being under-funded. Last year it received $550,682 to equip and train emergency responders, protect critical facilities against attack and continue domestic preparedness initiatives.
In 2006, the county only received $139,314 making last year’s total nearly a 300 percent increase, the largest percentage increase of any county in the state.
Prior to last year, the formula was based on the county’s yearly population, which was less than 100,000. But the formula now takes into consideration the substantial seasonal population increase due to tourism.
The county received $211,642 in 2005, $538,503 in 2004 and $152,518 in 2003.
According to the release, counties are required to spend 25 percent of their funding on law enforcement terrorism prevention activities and the state will review their spending proposals.
According to county Administrator Stephen O’Connor, last year the county distributed its homeland security money as follows:
• approximately $140,000 was shared by local police departments in the county,
• approximately $200,000 for emergency evacuation equipment,
• approximately $150,000 for additional training and equipment,
• remaining funds to develop an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com