(Warwick, R.I.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) announced today that the Providence Police Department will receive two grants totaling approximately $1.9 million for port security initiatives. This annual Port Security Grant (PSG) funding comes through the US Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness.

“Port security is one of the areas of Homeland Security that needs improving and grants such as this are moving us in a stronger, safer direction,” said Langevin, who serves on the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity. “This funding will be used to assess credible threats and vessels of interest traveling in and out of the Port of Providence.”

Providence Police will receive $1.085 million for improving and hardening port area perimeter security. They will also receive $811,000 for a port-wide communications system. The funding will specifically help to enhance dive team operations and recovery support, including the purchase of a robotic warning device to detect underwater threats, a boat and buoys among other items.

The FY 2005 PSG Program provides financial assistance to port authorities and state and local agencies, among others, to improve security for operators and passengers through physical security enhancements. The program’s focus this year is on the following national priorities: protection against small craft, underwater attacks and vehicle borne improvised explosives, enhanced explosives detection capabilities for the owners/operators of vehicle ferries and associated facilities and facility security enhancements.

The PSG Program will provide a total of $142 million for port security grants, in addition to $5 million that was also provided specifically for the security of ferry systems through the FY 2005 Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP). In addition to this year’s awards, over the past five years, PSG has provided $489 million to enhance dockside and perimeter security in our nation’s seaports.

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