WICU12

The Department of Homeland Security just released its list of cities that are most likely to be the targets of terrorism. Although Erie didn't make the list, emergency management officials say it would have been very helpful. Erie county has been trying to get on the list for a long time, but officials say it just comes down to numbers. Erie county just doesn't have the population that would allow for this kind of federal funding. Officials say we are at risk because we're a border state, and we have a waterfront and shipping industry. But in comparison to other places in the country those risks aren't that high. Cities that are at a high risk for terrorism and did make the list will share a $740 million dollar anti-terror grant. Director of Emergency Management in Erie county, Nick Sleptzoff, says a chunk of that grant money would have meant a great deal to Erie county, "Basically it would have meant more money to be able to get public safety and security issues addressed and looking at the big picture. How do you respond to medical emergencies and those kinds of issues would have provided more money to our area to make those improvements." Our neighbor, Pittsburgh, will get nearly $5-million dollars out of that Homeland Security grant. It'll help prevent, or prepare for, a terrorist attack there.

Emily Matson