BACA, BRATTON COULD REPLACE RIDGE, HE SAYS LAPD CHIEF MAY BE INTERESTED.Byline: James Nash Staff Writer HOLLYWOOD - U.S. Homeland Security Noun 1. Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Department of Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States Secretary Tom Ridge Thomas Joseph Ridge (born August 27 1945 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives (1983–1995), Governor of Pennsylvania (1995–2001), Assistant to the President for Homeland Security said Wednesday that either Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Police Chief William Bratton or Sheriff Lee Baca would be qualified to replace him, and Bratton said he might be interested in the job. Ridge announced on Nov. 30 that he was stepping down as the first homeland security secretary. President George W. Bush's choice to replace him, former New York City Police Commissioner The New York City Police Commissioner is the head of the New York City Police Department, appointed by the Mayor of New York City. Governor Theodore Roosevelt, in one of his final acts before becoming Vice President of the United States in March 1901, signed legislation replacing Bernard Kerik, withdrew from consideration amid reports that he employed an illegal immigrant illegal immigrant n. an alien (non-citizen) who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa. (See: alien) housekeeper. Since then, both Bratton and Baca have been mentioned for the homeland security post - as in the New York Daily News New York Daily News Morning daily tabloid newspaper published in New York City. It was founded in 1919 by Joseph Medill Patterson and his cousin Robert McCormick as a subsidiary of the Tribune Co. of Chicago. The first successful tabloid-format newspaper in the U.S. and the Providence Journal on Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference in Hollywood on Wednesday to announce that California will receive $282 million in federal homeland-security funds next year, Ridge said Bratton and Baca understand how to protect large American cities from terrorism. ``These two are doing this for their entire careers, so it's no surprise that their names are being publicly mentioned and maybe even privately discussed,'' said Ridge, who would not disclose whether the Bush administration is seriously considering either local lawman. Baca dismissed the reports as ``all rumors'' and said he isn't interested in the job. ``I have the greatest job of anybody in law enforcement,'' Baca said. ``The president is not going to nominate me, so let's not even ask the question.'' Bratton, who served as New York City police commissioner before Kerik did, was more open to the idea. ``If the president comes knocking on your door, you naturally have to take him seriously,'' Bratton said. Bratton said the Bush administration has not approached him about the position. The speculation about Ridge's possible successor came as the homeland security secretary announced $282 million in funding for California in 2005, including $65 million for Los Angeles County. Locally, the money will be used to help law-enforcement agencies coordinate their communication systems and buy equipment. ``It's about herding the informational cats into one room with databases and uniform systems,'' said John Miller, Bratton's homeland security chief. Mayor James Hahn praised Ridge and said federal funding has significantly protected major targets in the city - Los Angeles International Airport “LAX” redirects here. For other uses, see LAX (disambiguation). “KLAX” redirects here. For other uses, see KLAX (disambiguation). Los Angeles International Airport (IATA: LAX, ICAO: KLAX, FAA LID: LAX and the Port of Los Angeles The Port of Los Angeles is located on San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, approximately 20 miles (30 km) south of downtown. Also called Los Angeles Harbor and WORLDPORT LA . But City Councilman Jack Weiss panned the announcement, saying the Bush administration has shortchanged large cities in homeland security funding. ``Today's announcement should not be interpreted as anything other than a publicity event,'' Weiss said. James Nash, (213) 978-0390 james.nash(at)dailynews.com |
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