Innovative Program Recognizes Critical Need to Protect Municipal and Community Infrastructure from Terrorist Activities BALTIMORE, MD (November 9, 2004) - Mayor Martin O’Malley, Baltimore Metropolitan Council Chair (BMC), today joined Vice-Chair County Executive Smith and board members Mayor Ellen Moyer, County Commissioner Julia Gouge, County Executives Janet Owens, James Harkins and James Robey to announce an innovative grant program to offer a total of $1 million in homeland security grant funding to community-based, non-profit groups who are at threat of being a victim of a terrorist act. While Congress debates the creation of the High-Risk Non-Profit Security Enhancement Act of 2004, introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski in July, 2004, the Baltimore Region will implement this model program based on the same premise. Funding will be made available to non-profit organizations demonstrating a high risk of terrorist attack based upon: - Specific threats of international terrorist organizations;
- Prior attacks against similarly situated organizations;
- The vulnerability of the specific site;
- The symbolic value of the site as a highly recognized American institution; or
- The role of the institution in responding to terrorist attacks.
Security enhancements funded by the Baltimore region’s grant program will include items directly related to securing the region’s community infrastructure such as: - Closed Circuit Television systems for outer perimeters of community facilities;
- Vehicle barriers, lighting and fencing for perimeter security;
- Personal identification systems to limit unauthorized access to facilities;
- Bulletproof and bomb proof glass and other related technologies; and
- Other tools or devices that can be used in the target hardening process.
To ensure proper emergency response coordination with the region’s overall homeland security strategy, all grant applications must be certified as such by the law enforcement executive where the non-profit’s grant will be implemented. “Senator Mikulski’s leadership in the effort to secure Homeland Security funding for high-risk community organizations is greatly appreciated,” said Mayor Martin O’Malley. “As chief executives for our cities and counties, we can help improve security at our community-based institutions so that they can be free to focus on their mission of improving our neighborhoods, educating our children and supplementing the work of government in providing much needed social services to our public.” “I thank Senator Barbara Mikulski for her tireless efforts to safeguard our communities from the threat of terrorism,” said Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. “Building stronger communities means protecting the organizations that serve our neighborhoods and our citizens. By providing security funds for high-risk organizations, this innovative grant program allows community-based groups to focus their mission.” >> Critical Infrastructure Community Grant Program Regulations 
>> Critical Infrastructure Community Grant Program Regulations Fact Sheet | 
