$3.4 Million Federal Transportation Security Grant

Cruise and Ferry Terminal Security Enhancements Funded

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced that the Port of San Francisco was awarded $3.4 million from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for security enhancements at its cruise and ferry terminals. The award is part of a $170 million port security grant program, which finances security planning and projects to improve dockside and perimeter security.

Over $3 million of the funds will be used at the Pier 35 cruise terminal for improvements such as a new entrance lobby, luggage processing, and electronic signage. The balance of the grant will be applied at the Downtown Ferry Terminal, where cameras, call boxes, electronic signs, and other security equipment will be installed.

The Port received one of 198 grants awarded to state and local governments and private companies. The TSA, Coast Guard, and Maritime Administration evaluated 1,136 applications and recommended award recipients based on established criteria and within the available funding. In 2002, $92 million was awarded in the first round of TSA port security grants, including $500,000 to the Port of San Francisco for a vulnerability and security assessment.