FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 22, 2002

NEW SCHUMER HOMELAND SECURITY REPORT: FEDERAL EFFORT TO PROTECT NEW YORK FROM FUTURE ATTACK IS SEVERELY LAGGING

Security Report Card Gives Federal Government an Overall "C-", Ranging From a "B+" on Bioterrorism Response To a "D-" on Rail Security

One year later, federal government's lax effort leaves New York vulnerable to future terror attacks – gaping holes remain at Penn Station, airports, seaports and other major infrastructure areas

A new analysis of the effort to improve homeland security by US Senator Charles Schumer shows that the federal government has been slow to act in a number of key areas over the last year, leaving New York and the country vulnerable to future terrorist attacks. Schumer's report found that the federal domestic security effort has failed to close gaping holes in a number of critical infrastructure areas.

"When it comes to domestic security, the federal government is playing Russian Roulette with New York and the nation," Schumer said. "To win the war on terror, you need a one-two punch. You have to do it overseas, but you also have to do it at home. The federal government has been ready, willing and able to pay for the war abroad, however, domestically, its security efforts have been all too halting, slow and incomplete."

Last year's terrorist attacks uncovered a myriad of homeland defense vulnerabilities. Before September 11, the US had never contemplated the need for a comprehensive security plan to prevent attacks on seaports, water systems, and other types of critical infrastructure. Schumer's analysis found that while Congress has passed measures to address a number of security needs, the federal government has often failed to provide the dollars needed to fully implement these steps. In other cases, both the Administration and Congress have simply failed to act.

In New York City, which is so densely populated and is the national center of so many different industries, this reluctance to pay for domestic security means that those parts of the region that were vulnerable to terrorism a year ago – to a large extent – remain that way today.

"It's a year later and the nation is at its highest alert since the attacks. If there was ever a time and a place for the federal government to step up the effort to boost homeland defenses, it's now in New York," Schumer said. "This analysis shows that the federal government's efforts to shore up the most vulnerable areas in New York and the country aren't close to where they should be."

Schumer said the effort to prevent a nuclear incident from occurring in the US exemplifies the inconsistnecy that has characterized the federal government's homeland security efforts to date. While the US has required nuclear facilities like Westchester's Indian Point and Rochester's Ginna to increase security over the last year, it has not developed a comprehensive plan to upgrade inspection standards and radiation detection technology at ports and border crossings. The lax security effort means that a terrorist group in possession of a nuclear device stands a decent chance of success at bringing a nuclear device into New York.

Just this week, a news crew successfully smuggled 15 pounds of depleted uranium into the New York Harbor, prompting a new wave of questions about security at ports and border crossings. Although Customs launched a plan six months ago to inspect cargo at the 20 largest foreign ports before it gets to the US, agents have been deployed to only four foreign ports – Singapore, Rotterdam, Le Havre and Antwerp. Even more troubling, no special security measures have been put in place for the nation's largest container ports, including the one in New York which is the largest on the East Coast.

Rail security is another prominent area where not nearly enough has been done. Significant sections of Amtrak's infrastructure remain completely unprotected and Amtrak's continuing financial difficulties have made it clear that the Federal government has to step in and provide the funds for vital security upgrades. The antiquated and overcrowded tunnels throughout the Northeast and into Penn Station remain a special concern, as they could easily be attacked, which would cause massive damage and loss of life.

Other highlights of the report include:
• Aviation Security – No New York airport is currently complying with the requirement to screen all checked baggage, and only three airports nationwide are meeting the requirement. With a baggage screening equipment shortage and many airports needing renovations to install the screening machinery, it is unlikely that all New York airports will meet the December 31, 2002 deadline for doing so. Nevertheless, the TSA believes about 90% of all airports will be able to meet the baggage screening deadline.

• Combating Bioterrorism – In New York, hospitals have received just under $8 million of the funding that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gave to state health departments to improve bioterrorism responses , with $3.3 million going to New York City and $4.5 million going to the rest of the state. This amounts to about $35,000 per NYC hospital, nowhere near the $3 million per hospital that the AHA recommended last fall.

• Immigration – New York schools like Columbia, NYU, and Cornell who have large populations of foreign students, have not yet received the new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) software from the INS. As a result, they are unable test it and integrate it into their system. Without sufficient time, these schools could have problems meeting by the January 2003 deadline.

• Cyber-terrorism – All of the fiberoptic wires connecting the US to Europe and the Middle East funnel into just two locations in lower Manhattan. Roughly 80% of Internet traffic goes through less than 12 facilities across the country. Although a physical attack on these facilities would devastate the country's cyber infrastructure, no steps have been taken to protect these facilities.

"It's ironic that the Bush Administration and some Members of Congress are willing to consider spending $40 billion and risk countless lives in a war with Iraq, but will adamantly refuse to spend a penny to put a common sense measure like a Super-Geiger counter in place at our ports. Without a smart domestic defense strategy, the victories abroad will never be permanent," Schumer said. "If we make the necessary investments now, we may be able to save a lot of heartbreak later."

Schumer's analysis graded the federal government's efforts to protect New York's rail system, airports, water supply, assist local hospitals with developing bioterrorism responses, shore up New York's ports and border crossings, prevent a dirty bomb attack in the State, fortify the Northern Border, enhance cyber security.

For a copy of Schumer's Homeland Security Report click here.

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