Alabama Port Authority receives grant for security needs www.privateofficer.com
MOBILE, Alabama April 10 2011 – Money is flowing into the Alabama Port Authority, to the tune of $450,000. Officials tell FOX10 it’s part of the grant they received from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, and the money’s going toward security measures.
The port makes a more than $7 billion economic impact for the state of Alabama.
“We’ve got to continue to protect our ports from illegals or terrorists. It’s a very important element. Our security expense has gone up from pre 9/11. It was about a million yearly, now we’re spending about seven a year,” said Jimmy Lyons with the Port Authority.
The Alabama State Port Authority said now, thanks to a grant from the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, improvements can be made. Lyons said the port is getting around $450,000 from the almost $1.4 million grant. Part of the money is going to the police building at the port.
“We wanted to put a hurricane-proof roof on there and shutters, because if we do have a storm or event we have to keep the facility manned and our police force remains,” Lyons said.
Also, the port’s extensive camera system will be expanded.
“We’ve identified gaps in the camera system, so we’re adding some additional cameras to close those gaps,” said Lyons.
Lyons said the cameras will make monitoring trespassers that much easier. He added the work on the police building is getting underway in the coming weeks while the camera work will get underway in a month or two.
The Mobile Police Department will also benefit from the grant. The department got a new boat designed to fit the needs of Mobile’s Homeland Security officers. It was built by Silver Ships, in Mobile.
The Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service will also get a portion of the grant.
Source:Fox10
