By Ed Somers and Justin O'Brien
January 31, 2005

Meeting in a joint session, the Homeland Security and Cities and Borders Task Forces addressed a number of key issues related to first responder funding and border security on January 18.

Border Security/U.S. VISIT

U.S. VISIT Program Director Jim Williams and P.T. Wright of Customs and Border Protection from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joined the mayors to discuss the implementation of the program at air, sea and land-based ports'of-entry across the country. Cities and Borders Task Force Co-Chairs Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick and Laredo Mayor Betty Flores congratulated DHS for the positive accomplishments of the U.S. VISIT program, which since implementation has greatly reduced the time needed to process cross'border travel at land-based ports. Simultaneously, the program has helped apprehend a considerable number of known criminals and others considered public safety and security risks. U.S.VISIT is the acronym for United States Visa and Immigration Status Technology, the national entry-exit monitoring and security program, many elements of which were called for by the mayors in the wake of 9-11.

Expressing strong appreciation for the work and mayoral engagement of the U.S. VISIT program office with the mayors and cities, Kilpatrick also urged more attention to the northern border citing both its size and importance to the national economy.

Williams encouraged attendees to "continue to weigh in," describing the mayors communication and partnership as key to successful program implementation — comments echoed by the mayors. He went on to express strong appreciation for the partnership that has emerged with the mayors over the course of border security discussions since 9-11 and U.S. VISIT implementation to date, noting the positive effect of the partnership on the success of the program.

First Responders

Homeland Security Task Force Co-Chair Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley then led a discussion of key first responder issues with DHS staff. O'Malley expressed concern that overall first responder funding was cut by $400 million last year, at the same time that community policing programs continue to be slashed.

David Hagy, Director of Local Coordination for DHS, helped moderate a discussion with a number of key personnel from his office regarding new grant guidance and planning requirements.

The DHS staff outlined recent changes in the grant process for first responder funding designed to make funding easier for cities to access and more flexible, the new National Response Plan, and new training regimes.

Several mayors continued to express concerns about funding flows through the states, and early notification on new threats. "We mayors are expected to find out about differences in the security code through watching CNN," Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson said. "I don't get it from e-mail or fax; I don't get a telephone call," the mayor added.

Augusta Mayor Bob Young also raised concern about hazardous materials being transported through cities, like the chlorine gas that leaked from a wrecked railcar in South Carolina, killing nine people and injuring hundreds more.

The Conference sent a letter signed by more than 50 mayors to DHS Secretary Ridge and Transportation Secretary Mineta asking for an earlier notification process when dangerous materials are moving through cities.