DHS to Increase Protection of Private Sector from Terrorist Attacks

Jim Kouri, CPP
The US Department of Homeland Security officials promised $91.3 million in grant funding to protect and secure areas surrounding critical infrastructure and key resource sites such as chemical facilities, dams, and nuclear plants across the country. The DHS's Buffer Zone Protection Program provides funding through states to local jurisdictions in order to purchase equipment that will extend the zone of protection beyond the gates of these critical facilities.

This grant program reflects our commitment to continue to protect and defend the security of the United States against the threat posed by terrorism,” said Matt A. Mayer, Acting Executive Director of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness, the office responsible for domestic preparedness.

Through this program, we will continue to work with the nation’s prevention, preparedness, and response community and the private sector in our national effort to combat terrorism and secure our homeland.”

Under the new grant program, states will be expected to submit Buffer Zone Plans and equipment purchasing plans to the department, allowing the department’s Office for Domestic Preparedness to perform a financial review while the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection directorate performs a technical review and final approval of the plan. Following approval of the plans, local jurisdictions may use their approved funding to purchase any equipment found on ODP’s Approved Equipment List and identified in their purchasing plan.  


The department uses an integrated approach that provides federal, state and local officials and first responders with the necessary tools and resources to protect their community assets.

The Buffer Zone Protection Program provides both funding and coordination in bringing federal, state and local levels of government, law enforcement and the private sector together to create Buffer Zone Plans to reduce vulnerabilities in areas surrounding critical infrastructure and key resources.

Sources: US Department of Homeland Security, American Society for Industrial Security
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Jim Kouri, CPP

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). Recently, the editors at Examiner.com appointed him as their Law Enforcement Examiner. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty.

He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for NewswithViews.com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 300 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.

If you wish to receive Kouri's emailed law enforcement and intelligence reports, write to him at COPmagazine@aol.com. Simply write "Free Subscription" on the subject line.

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