Department
of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today visited New York
City to announce that the Department has deployed 300 advanced imaging
technology (AIT) units to airports throughout the country, tour security
screening operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and meet
with New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond Kelly
regarding joint DHS-NYPD homeland security and counterterrorism operations.
“The
disruption of the attempted terrorist attack in Times Square demonstrated the
critical importance of individual citizens and law enforcement personnel in
detecting and mitigating threats—underscoring that homeland security truly
begins with hometown security,” said Secretary Napolitano. “From securing our
airports to supporting local law enforcement, the Obama administration is
committed to getting critical information and resources out of Washington, DC,
and into the hands of the men and women serving on the front lines.”
While
in New York City, Secretary Napolitano visited JFK to highlight the first two
AIT units at the airport and announce that the Department has deployed 300 AIT
units to more than 60 airports nationwide—keeping the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) on track to deploy approximately 500 units by the end of
2010, 450 of which were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA).
“The
deployment of 300 advanced imaging technology units is an important milestone
in our commitment to keeping the traveling public safe,” said TSA Administrator
John Pistole. “Imaging technology is a critical part of TSA’s layered
counterterrorism strategy and ability to combat evolving threats to aviation
security.”
AIT
is designed to increase security by safely screening passengers for metallic
and non-metallic threats—including weapons, explosives and other objects
concealed under layers of clothing. TSA ensures passenger privacy through the
anonymity of AIT images—a privacy filter is applied to blur images; all images
examined by TSA at airports are permanently deleted immediately once viewed and
are never stored, transmitted or printed; and the officer viewing the image is
stationed in a remote location so as not to come into contact with passengers
being screened. This technology is optional to all passengers. Those who opt
out may request alternative screening to include a thorough pat down.
ARRA,
signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17, 2009, committed more than $3
billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services
Administration. Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security
projects, $734 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $266
million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technologies.
President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget request included funding for an
additional 500 AIT units.
While
in New York City, Secretary Napolitano also met with Commissioner Kelly to
discuss the Department’s ongoing partnership with the NYPD and tour the Lower
Manhattan Security Initiative (LMSI). LMSI was launched by Commissioner Kelly
in 2005 to help ensure public safety and includes additional uniformed officers
on the streets as well as counterterrorism technologies deployed in public
areas such as closed circuit televisions, license plate readers, and chemical,
biological, radiological, and nuclear detectors.
During
the meeting, Secretary Napolitano reiterated the Department’s continued support
of the NYPD’s critical infrastructure protection efforts. DHS, in partnership
with the NYPD and other stakeholders, has performed consolidated field
assessments at 74 critical infrastructure sites concentrated in lower
Manhattan. In total, New York City has received more than $2.1 billion in
funding from DHS to support the city’s counterterrorism and homeland
security-related initiatives.