Lawmakers said Orlando, Fla., has received $3.8 million in terror-prevention and preparedness grant funds via the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).
Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Val Demings (D-FL), and Darren Soto (D-FL) indicated the city’s inclusion in the program was restored in 2018 after a multi-year drought, following strong advocacy efforts.
“For many years, Orlando received no funding from the federal government to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism,” Murphy said. “I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I have done to ensure that our city annually receives federal dollars to protect our community. We will keep fighting to bring home the resources local law enforcement and non-profit organizations need to keep central Floridians safe.”
Demings said the safety and security of every person who lives, works, and travels in central Florida will always be her top priority.
“I am once again pleased to announce that Orlando will be a top national recipient of the UASI national security grant, which will train first responders and help our community prevent, prepare and respond to potential incidents,” she said. “I am also glad to see that this year’s national priority areas include domestic violent extremism for the first time, which the FBI and other agencies have identified as our top domestic security challenge. This program has been one of my top priorities since arriving in Congress and joining the Homeland Security Committee. The best way to ensure success is to prepare, and as a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand how important these federal dollars are to keeping all of us safe.”