Report Questions Homeland Security Plans

Report Questions Homeland Security Plans

By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer
27 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The Homeland Security Department still spends money on U.S. port projects that aren't considered national security priorities even though it has made some corrections, a new report says.

In a report to be made public Tuesday, Homeland Security Inspector General Richard L. Skinner praises the agency for overhauling the Port Security Grant Program in 2005 to award money based on risk and to make only the 66 most vulnerable ports eligible.

Snip...

His office studied the fifth and most recent round of port security grants, which awarded $142 million for 132 projects. Of those, the 20 projects Skinner's report said scored low on the agency's threat scale received about 20 percent of the money awarded, or $29.3 million.

Snip...

In October, Congress, at the behest of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., ordered a review of the steps the agency has taken to comply with recommendations in the January 2005 report.

"It's been more than four years since 9/11, and the government still can't get port security right," Kerry said in a statement.


more...


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060307/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/ports_security_report_1

Controversial Port Deal May Affect Boston

Black Falcon, Moran Terminals Could Be Involved

POSTED: 6:46 am EST March 7, 2006
UPDATED: 6:51 am EST March 7, 2006

BOSTON -- The controversial port deal with an Arab company will affect more American seaports than first reported, including Boston Harbor.

A review by the Associated Press found that DP World of Dubai would be in charge of significant operations at six U.S. ports and would have a lesser role in 16 others, including the operation of the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in Boston.

The Dubai company would also run certain operations at the Moran Automobile Terminal in Boston.

Right now, the deal with that company is undergoing a security review in Washington.

more...

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/7770752/detail.html?rss=bos&psp=news