Hahn Seeks Larger Share of Homeland Security Funds for 2 Ports

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are not getting their fair share of federal homeland security money to guard the busiest harbors in the nation against terrorism, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn told members of Congress on Tuesday.

Hahn and Long Beach City Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal conveyed their concerns during a meeting with Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) at the harbor.

Collins is chairwoman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees the Department of Homeland Security.

Hahn noted that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the gateway for 42% of the cargo coming into the U.S. but are receiving just $1.42 per container in federal funding for security. In comparison, he said, the New York-New Jersey Port Authority, which takes in about 15% of the nation’s cargo, receives $3 per container.

“This seriously jeopardizes the safety of Southern Californians and the estimated 550,000 jobs connected to global trade and goods movement flowing through Southern California,” Hahn said after the meeting.

Harman, who has long argued that the two facilities are not allocated enough funds for security, invited Collins to tour the ports and hear local concerns.

“She’s traveled here from her home state of Maine because she understands that securing our nation means securing all of our ports,” Harman said. “She knows the Al Qaeda seeks out asymmetries and exploits them. If one U.S. port is ‘too’ secure, they will focus on another one.”

Though video surveillance systems and cargo container screeners are being deployed, more state-of-the-art equipment is needed, she said.

Harman said the Coast Guard proposed two years ago that the federal government boost its investment in port security to $3.2 billion over the next five years.

“Today, we are still working on getting them the money,” she added.