Port of San Diego Receives $2.9 Million Security Grant

Port of San Diego Receives $2.9 Million Security Grant

The Department of Homeland Security announced today that it will allocate the Port of San Diego up to $2.9 million for security improvements. The money is part of the $388.6 million in security grants being awarded to more than 100 ports and ferry operations across the country.

John MacIntyre, the Port’s Homeland Security program manager, said the money would go toward improved security. This could include surveillance equipment, possibly the installation of fiber optics communication networks and additional security for some Port properties.

Specific projects and purchases have yet to be established, but Port security personnel, the Port’s Maritime division and representatives from Harbor Police, are working on those details.

In the past six years, the Port of San Diego has been awarded about $17 million in security grants for cameras, improved lighting and other security features at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, the National City Marine Terminal, the cruise ship terminal and the purchase of three high-speed Harbor Police vessels.

In addition, last year the Department of Homeland Security selected the Port of San Diego and Washington’s Puget Sound for a pilot project designed to detect radiological and nuclear weapons.

The program is scheduled to get under way in San Diego later this year. The focus will be on small commercial craft and recreational vessels.