O F F I C E O F H O M E L A N D S E C U R I T Y
FOR RELEASE June 12, 2008 |
Contact: Jay Alan 916-322-1556/ 916-825-6544 Elaine Jennings 916-324-9661/916-437-9501 |
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Announces San Francisco Bay Area receiving $21 Million for Mass Transit Security
SACRAMENTO – California Homeland Security Director Matthew Bettenhausen today announced 14 San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies will receive approximately twenty one million dollars to improve mass transit security. The funds come from voter- approved Prop 1B, a measure which Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger strongly advocated to improve the state’s infrastructure, security, and public safety.
“The threat to transit systems is a fundamental challenge and is one of the reasons the Governor, working with the Legislature, added security funding into the bond measure.” Bettenhausen said. “The Governor has always said public safety is his top priority. I’m proud to deliver this funding to the various San Francisco area transit agencies and districts which shows the Governor and OHS are moving quickly to protect California’s mass transit systems.”
One billion of the nearly 20 billion dollars approved will be allocated the next few years to enhance security and safety in mass transit systems and the state’s ports. California voters approved Proposition 1B in November of 2006, which enacted the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006. $60 million was appropriated in the current budget for mass transit security.
“The Governor and the Legislature understood the threat and the need.” said Bettenhausen. “These funds will not only Bay Area transit agencies with the challenges of keeping area residents safe, they will also help protect our investment in the infrastructure needed to keep our economy strong.”
Transit officials said they will use the money for a variety of projects, including advanced lighting, fencing, and camera technology as well as tunnel intrusion detection systems and other communication technology to help both passengers and transit agency security personnel. The upgrades will allow transit agencies to enhance security, help reduce crime, and provide a safer experience for customers.
A list of award amounts follows:
|
$7,070, 567 |
|
$5,374,704 |
|
$3,289,948 |
|
$2,148,388 |
|
$1,106,406 |
|
$ 939,246 |
|
$ 802,488 |
|
$ 116,919 |
|
$ 56,772 |
|
$ 31,815 |
|
$ 26,768 |
|
$ 25,113 |
|
$ 12,078 |
|
$ 7,100 |
| Total: | $ 21,008,312 |
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security is charged with administering the Prop 1B funds. It’s part of California’s strategies to protect its 37 million residents from man-made or natural disaster.
For further information regarding the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security please visit our website, www.ohs.ca.gov.