SEPTA Awarded Nearly $4.5 Million To Bolster Anti-Terrorism Efforts

Federal Recovery Funds To Pay For 12 New Police Officers, Equipment

PHILADELPHIA (July 29, 2009) – SEPTA will add 12 police officers to its force and purchase new anti-terrorism equipment with nearly $4.5 million in federal grants unveiled today.

SEPTA will receive $4.458 million to cover the salaries, equipment and related expenses for 12 new police officers. This will increase the number of law enforcement officers in the SEPTA Transit Police Department from the current 256 to 268. SEPTA will also use $1.2 million to purchase new anti-terrorism equipment.

SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey said the funding will help SEPTA in its ongoing efforts to keep customer safe.

“The addition 12 more officers to the Transit Police Department will not only enable SEPTA increase our anti-terrorism vigilance, but also provide heightened security throughout the transit system,” Casey said.

SEPTA is one of 15 transit agencies receiving a total of nearly $78 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Transit Security Grant Program, Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced.

“Securing our mass transit systems requires well-trained personnel on the ground to protect against those who seek to cause harm,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This Recovery Act money will create critical law enforcement jobs that will help our nation prevent terrorist attacks.”

For more information on SEPTA, visit www.septa.org. For more information on DHS-Fema grant programs, visit www.dhs.gov and www.fema.gov/grants. For more information on the American Recovery and Reinvestiment Act, visit www.dhs.gov/recovery.