CORY A. BOOKER sinareuton Anited States Senate April 24, 2015 ‘The Honorable William Craig Fugate Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Dear Administrator Fugate: I write today to express deep concern regarding the preliminary FY2015 Annual Risk Assessment and Profile, submitted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This preliminary assessment lowered the state of New Jersey's threat score, which will decrease the state’s access to FEMA preparedness grant funding. This loss will directly affect the state’s ability to invest in strategic preventive measures and protective activities. Therefore, as FEMA completes its final assessment, I request FEMA consider a reevaluation of the downgrade. Given its population density, infrastructure of national significance, chemical plants, and refineries, New Jersey does not merit a reduced threat score. As you are aware, FEMA grants contribute to and enhance New Jersey's security and preparedness through strategic investments in critical infrastructure, law enforcement, and preventive measures designed to combat terrorism. As the most densely populated state in the nation — with 565 municipalities and 591 school districts ~ these preparedness grants are invaluable to public safety in New Jersey. Preparedness grants help fund critical purchases that the state would otherwise have difficulty affording. For example, recent allocations have helped to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and interoperable communications equipment, which are erucial to New Jersey's first responders. Grants have also provided for training and public awareness. FEMA’s state administrative agency, New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness (OHSP), along with the FBI, hosts periodic training exercises that include threat recognition and active shooter scenarios. These exercises provide vital training to law enforcement, emergency services, and the general public. Additionally, grants have contributed to an uptick in Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) through public awareness initiatives such as “If You See Something, Say Something,” According to OHSP. reports made to the SARs program increased by 10 percent from 2013-2014. In fact, since December 2014, there have been 22 SARs on threats to law enforcement and government personnel. These reports are critical to maintaining a horizontal and cooperative process for intelligence collection, sharing, and analysis. For ‘example, in January, a website supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria mentioned New Jersey as a terrorist target. This news came one week after the same website mentioned the public killing of New Jersey police officers and soldiers. Moreover, an intelligence report issued that same month by New Jersey's fusion center, the Regional Operations Intelligence Center, cited six instances of suspicious activity in and around New Jersey's military bases. Grants have also contributed to information sharing and analysis amongst New Jersey’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Funds have supported tasktforces such as Newark’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (TTF), Field Intelligence Group, and the South Jersey Violent Incident/Gang Task Force. These taskforces serve as hubs for intelligence and information sharing, and they are critical for monitoring activities associated with domestic and international terrorism.I would particularly like to emphasize one issue raised by OHSP regarding the distinetion between Level | and Level 2 of the Targeted Infrastructure Index used in the preliminary threat assessment. As you know, New Jersey falls under Region II, which is one of the most risk-prone regions in the United States. Labeled the most dangerous two miles in America by government officials and the FBI, the stretch from Newark Airport to Port Newark/Elizabeth, is a prime target for terrorists. These two miles include ‘Newark Liberty Intemational Airport, Port Newark/Elizabeth, which is the third largest port in the ‘country and the largest port on the East Coast, key passenger and freight rail lines, refineries, chemical plants, and New Jersey's stretch of 1-95, all situated next to some of the state’s most densely populated Cities. As a major throughway for commerce and economic activity, these two miles need to remain a top priority for national security funding. Any degradation of FEMA funding would severely inhibit our ability to invest in the security of our residents and assets. Flanked by major cities and home to nationally critical infrastructure, New Jersey has a clear case against this downgrade, and I respectfully seek your reevaluation of the preliminary assessment. Sincerely, Cory A. Booker United States Senator ce: rian E, Kamoie, Assistant Administrator for Grant Programs Jerome Hatfield, Regional Administrator Region It