Councilwoman Janice Hahn and Port of Los Angeles Representatives Travel to Washington D.C. to Seek an Increase in Security Funding.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2003

Hahn Delegation Meets with Congress members to Encourage Passage of

The Port Security Improvements Act

A delegation of City of Los Angeles officials headed by Councilwoman Janice Hahn today met with members of Congress to urge additional funds to meet the mounting, post-9/11 security needs of the Port of Los Angeles and its neighbor, the Port of Long Beach, which together comprise the third busiest port complex in the world and the gateway for over 80 percent of goods that enter the United States from the Pacific Rim.

"As the major entry-point for goods in this country, the safety and security of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are paramount to the entire nation. Even with the Port of Los Angeles spending more than $6 million to improve security since 9/11, we still have a long way to go," said Councilwoman Hahn, whose district includes the Port of Los Angeles. "The federal government needs to make the same commitment to securing our ports as it has made to securing our airports--it's the only way to safeguard our nation's economy, and more importantly, to protect the lives of the people who live in the Harbor area."

The delegation will speak with legislators including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Chris Cox, Congressman Hal Rogers and representatives from the Transportation Security Administration about the lack of critical funding to help the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach guard against foreign threats. Councilwoman Hahn and Port officials will voice support for passage of the Port Security Improvements Act (HR 2193), a bill by U.S. Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA), which would dedicate a portion of Customs duties collected at the ports to improve port security throughout the U.S.

"I'm pleased that Councilwoman Hahn and the Los Angeles and Long Beach delegations have made this trip. It's important for our representatives in Washington D.C. to understand the vulnerability of the nation's ports and our local commitment to make our city as safe and secure as possible," said Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn. "Over a billion dollars a day was lost to our nation's economy during the recent lockout. A terrorist incident at a major US port would have a direct effect on jobs and the US economy."

The delegation will also seek support for a multi-year funding program for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which are currently undertaking a five-year plan to upgrade and secure the complex. There are at least 70 locations including terminals, facilities and common areas that have been identified for improvements. The estimated cost for all physical security upgrades including, lights, cameras, fences and sensors is $245 million; approximately $130 million for the fiber, IT and command and control; $20 million for communications; and $84.7 ear-marked for developing technologies.

"Such an ambitious and necessary program of securing the neighbors, workers, visitors and cargo at the Port cannot be planned adequately with annual funding allocations," said Port Executive Director Larry Keller. "The Port Security Improvements Act will allow for a reliable source of multi-year funding on which a comprehensive security plan may be based."

The Port of Los Angeles is the nation's busiest container port, last year bringing in a record 6.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and over 1.3 million jobs nationally. At the Port of Los Angeles, increased security measures to safeguard cargo include 98 assigned personnel, 24 vehicles, four patrol boats, a 15-person dive team, four trained K-9 teams and an air support detail. The Port of Los Angeles is one of the few ports in the nation to have a dedicated police force.

"Overall, we have received almost four dollars less per TEU in grant funding than the Port of New York/New Jersey and two dollars less than any port in the top five. And the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach is the busiest port in the United States," said Harbor Commissioner James Acevedo. "We are going to address this severe under-funding and encourage Congress to pass the Port Security Improvements Act allowing more money to support security initiatives."

Under the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration has made grant announcements for three rounds of port security funds. The Port of Los Angeles has applied for more than $97 million in federal grants for additional security programs and has thus far been awarded $4.8 million, with a significant portion of that dedicated to joint programs with the Port of Long Beach.