Nov 03 2003

Graham Announces Over $35 Million in Homeland Security Grants for South Carolina

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the state of South Carolina will receive over $35 million in federal grant money for homeland security in fiscal year 2004. “These funds will be used to provide South Carolina’s first responders with the best training and equipment available, and educate every citizen about family safety and community preparedness,” said Graham. “Local law enforcement plays a key role in preventing terrorist acts and these funds will help ensure South Carolina’s law enforcement agencies have the tools necessary to protect our state and the nation.” The money consists of funding for three programs:
  • $26,828,000 for first responders from the State Homeland Security Grant Program. The funds will help state and local public safety and law enforcement personnel pay for planning, training, equipment, exercises and other costs associated with enhancing the capabilities on a state and local level to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks.
  • $7,961,000 for the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program. This program will provide law enforcement communities with funds to enhance their capabilities to share information to preempt terrorist attacks, reduce vulnerability of certain high value targets, recognize the potential development of a threat, provide intervention activities before a threat could be executed, enhance interoperability communications and assist in management and administration. The funds can be used for these activities within the areas of planning, organization, training, exercises and equipment from an authorized equipment list that includes an expanded category for law enforcement equipment related to threat intervention, such as SWAT gear. This program also allows for overtime costs specifically related to Homeland Security efforts.
  • $557,000 for the Citizen Core Program. The funds provide resources for states and local communities to bring together the appropriate leadership to form and sustain a Citizen Corps Council and develop and implement a plan for the community to engage all citizens in homeland security, community preparedness, and family safety. In addition, the funds should be used to conduct public education to inform citizens about their role in crime prevention, mitigation, emergency preparedness for all hazards, public health measures, including bio-terrorism, and develop and implement Citizen Corps programs offering training and volunteer opportunities to support first responders, disaster relief groups, and community safety efforts.
States are required to distribute 80 percent of their awarded funds to local government entities.