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Considering Risk: Homeland Security Changes its Policy

Whether we live in a big city or a small town, security is a concern for all of us. But would you rather that your tax dollars went to secure those American cities that are most likely to suffer a terrorist attack? Or should money be evenly distributed among the states?

This question is the subject of debate among legislators and security experts. Some hail Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for deciding to allot money according to risk in 2006, while others say that the new policy leaves some states and cities vulnerable.

Details of the policy change

For 2006, Congress provided $120 million less to the Urban Area Security Initiative than it did in 2005, so the Department of Homeland Security decided to use the money for the urban areas most likely to be hit, like New York and Washington D.C.

The policy change followed critiques of last year’s distribution of funds, which gave thinly populated states like Wyoming and Alaska as much money per capita as New York and California.

For example, North Pole, Alaska got $557,000 for rescue and communications equipment. But at just 1,700 residents, the town is unlikely to be the target of a terrorist attack.

The Urban Area Security Initiative makes up about $765 million of the $2.5 billion for state and local antiterrorism programs. Much of the remaining money will be distributed according to a formula that sets a minimum for each state, so it isn’t as if less-populous states won’t get any security money.

Critics of the new plan

But the new risk-based policy is drawing criticism. Democratic leader Harry Reid has called for Chertoff’s resignation because Las Vegas, Nevada (the state that Reid represents) won’t be getting urban security money in 2006.

Chertoff expected the cities and states cut from the high-risk list to complain loudly. Yet he is confident that the new risk-based plan is the way to go. Reid, for his part, believes that anyone who doesn’t see Las Vegas as a security risk shouldn’t be directing the department of Homeland Security.

The dispute begs the question, how is risk determined?

Calculating risk

The Department of Homeland Security identifies "risk" by the consequences of an attack, the vulnerability of a city, and the perception of a threat. Although this is fairly subjective, the department has tried to objectively rank cities according to risk, considering factors such as high-profile government buildings, public transportation, and vulnerable structures such as bridges.

Cities like New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco are likely to receive urban security funding, as are 35 other cities. Eleven cities, including Las Vegas, will be eligible for one more year of funding to help them with the transition.

Chertoff pointed out that the list of high-risk cities may change from year to year, as the department reevaluates risk.

Your input matters

How do you think that homeland security money should be distributed? How do you think government should evaluate risk? Do you think it’s possible or even likely that terrorists could strike anywhere in the U.S.?

Your representatives in Congress DO care what you think. Especially now -- 2006 is an election year and many representatives will be looking to reconnect with their constituents. Let your congressmen and women know what you think! Give your senators a piece of your mind! To find your reps, click here.

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Update Posted on: 1/7/2006