DHS initiatives target terrorism prevention, response

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials are touting the release of the funding notice for eight different types of terrorism prevention and preparedness grants totaling almost $1.87 billion.

“In the almost 20 years since September 11, 2001, the terrorism threat landscape has changed considerably,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “The most significant terrorist threat facing the nation comes from lone offenders and small groups of individuals who commit acts of violence motivated by domestic extremist ideological beliefs. While we continue to lawfully protect against threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations, we also must ensure adequate focus and funding is provided to combat domestic terrorism, some of which is motivated by false narratives and extremist rhetoric spread through social media and other online platforms.”

The grant offerings, per officials, include the State Homeland Security Program, which provides $415 million to support the implementation of risk-driven, capabilities-based state homeland security strategies to address capability targets; the Urban Area Security Initiative, providing $615 million to enhance regional preparedness and capabilities in 31 high-threat, high-density areas; the Emergency Management Performance Grant, which provides more than $355 million to assist state, local, tribal and territorial governments in enhancing and sustaining all-hazards emergency management capabilities; and the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, providing $180 million to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack.

Officials indicated additional information on DHS’s preparedness grant programs is available at www.dhs.gov and http://www.fema.gov/grants.