BudgetFederal security grants to Kansas City cut
DHS has removed Kansas City from the list of cities receiving DHS grants, which means that the city will now have to rely on its own resources to train local law enforcement on how to predict, spot, and react to terrorist activities.
DHS has removed Kansas City from the list of cities receiving DHS grants, which means that the city will now have to rely on its own resources to train local law enforcement on how to predict, spot, and react to terrorist activities.
Fox4KC reports that city council members discussed this unwelcome situation during a committee meeting at City Hall earlier this week. DHS says that the federal government has spent more than $640 billion since 9/11 to prevent terrorist attacks. Most of that money was spent on training local and state law enforcement agencies as well as purchasing new equipment.
In 2004 DHS allocated $13 million to Kansas City, but that amount had dropped every year since, and last year the department sent the city just $1 million. The Boston Marathon bombing notwithstanding, security experts say that the city will be losing the money because the chances of a terrorist attack in the city are small and federal budget cuts must be made.
“Unfortunately, Kansas City may be victim to the fact that Homeland Security come under scrutiny quite a bit lately, especially last year, for a lot of waste especially smaller jurisdictions…. spending money on equipment that wasn’t needed,” Michael Tabman, a former FBI agent, told Fox4KC.
As a result of the cuts, the city could see a $1.2 million reduction in emergency operations. That money pays for equipment, training, and other emergency operations functions. Hazardous material rescue teams and rescue boats could also see cuts.
“The federal government has invested a large amount of dollars in building these capabilities in our area,” said General Shepherd, director of emergency operations, said. “We just want them sustained.”
Police Chief Darryl Forte said that in light of the situation, citizens will be counted on to step up and keep their eyes open for suspicious behavior, and to contact police if they see something. Forte also said that local police will continue to work with the FBI to make sure a terrorist attack does not happen in Kansas City.
