Federal government awards CNY counties money for improved border security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is awarding several Central New York counties more than $768,000 in funding aimed at improving border security.

The department’s Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing the money through two programs, according to a news release from U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.).

The Operation Stonegarden Program (OPSG) is providing more than $617,000 for Cayuga, Jefferson, Oswego, and St. Lawrence counties.

The OPSG program provides funding to enhance cooperation and coordination among local, tribal, territorial, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure points of entry along international borders.

The allocation includes nearly $100,000 for Cayuga County, more than $136,000 for Jefferson County, more than $100,000 for Oswego County, and $280,000 for St. Lawrence County.

The Senators from New York also announced more than $151,000 in funding through the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) for the ports of Ogdensburg (St. Lawrence County) and Oswego.

The PSGP provides funding for port authorities, facility operators, and state and local-government agencies that are required to provide port-security services, according to the news release.

The PSGP allocation includes more than $131,000 for the Port of Ogdensburg and nearly $20,000 for the Port of Oswego.

“Although it is sometimes overlooked, New York, and Central and Northern New York especially, has a long international border, and highly-trafficked international ports of call,” Schumer said in the news release. “I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has recognized the importance of this investment and has increased New York’s funding share.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com