LA approves security and operations grants

The grant will be used to support the Port of Los Angeles’ police security and operations integration initiatives, alongside increasing cyber security infrastructure.

Jill Taylor, homeland security manager at the Port of Los Angeles, said: “The Port Security Grant Programme funding we received allows us to maintain our existing security system at the highest level as well as expand to provide additional cameras and access control to areas both landside and waterside.”

“This funding will also create interoperability between our port police mobile command vehicle and the Department Operations Centre to enhance the Harbour Department’s response and recovery capabilities,” she added.

The FEMA Port Security Grant Programme (PSGP) is a competitive grant programme which supports security enhancements at ports all over the United States. But as a condition of the PSGP, the port will have to contribute 25% in additional non-federal funds.

This means the funding for the security initiatives will reach US$2.5m.

Gene Seroka, Port executive director, said: “Protecting the port and the surrounding Los Angeles harbour area communities is a top priority.”

He added: “These grants will allow us to continue extremely important programs and technology upgrades necessary to keep our security operations state-of-the-art.”

The projects which will be undertaken include integration, maintenance and repair of port security systems, including integration of external security video feeds from various government departments, terminals and mobile sources.

Improvements to the port’s mass notification system and infrastructure will address the numerous cyber risks which are associated with the security of a port.

The Port of Los Angeles has facilitated over US$290bn in trade over the past year and provides more than 140,000 jobs including 531,000 in the city of LA.