Gottheimer announces more than $5 million for North Jersey counterterrorism efforts ahead of 9/11 anniversary
NEW MILFORD BOROUGH, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced more than $5 million in federal funding for North Jersey law enforcement agencies Wednesday as part of a series of actions aimed at strengthening counterterrorism efforts ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The funding will support law enforcement agencies in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties, including efforts to modernize intelligence and coordination capabilities, provide officer training and purchase additional equipment.
Every municipality in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District within Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties will receive $50,000 for counterterrorism training, according to Gottheimer’s office.
Bergen County will receive $1.5 million to expand and modernize its Real-Time Intelligence Center.
Newton will receive $200,000 to purchase a real-time intelligence platform designed to enhance the Sussex County city’s capabilities.
Bloomingdale will receive $100,000 to purchase a response drone and active-threat equipment, including ballistic shields, armor and breaching kits. Vernon will receive $30,000 for a thermal search-and-overwatch drone.
Gottheimer also highlighted a bipartisan 9/11 Review Task Force report containing 20 recommendations for the intelligence community. The recommendations include improving information sharing between agencies, using artificial intelligence to address emerging threats and strengthening partnerships among federal, state and local governments and the private sector.
Gottheimer said he also sent a letter urging the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to fully implement secondary flight deck barriers on commercial aircraft, including older planes already in service.
Gottheimer wrote the bipartisan Saracini Aviation Safety Act, which required secondary barriers on new commercial aircraft and was signed into law in 2018.
He also introduced legislation with U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., that would seek to ensure the Sept. 11 attacks are taught in schools nationwide. According to Gottheimer’s office, 15 states currently require 9/11 education.
In addition, Gottheimer introduced a resolution cosponsored by every member of New Jersey’s U.S. House delegation recognizing law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who responded to the World Trade Center attacks and participated in rescue, recovery and relief efforts.
The resolution also remembers those who have died from 9/11-related illnesses and reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to the World Trade Center Health Program and September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
“We all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, and our future leaders the history of our homeland,” Gottheimer said. “Today, I unveiled a package of federal action that lays out a series of steps we must take to not only honor those who perished on 9/11 and in its aftermath, but to be prepared to stop any future attacks. With today’s actions, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.”
Gottheimer was joined at the announcement by officials from Bergen and Sussex counties and representatives from New Milford, Bloomingdale, Newton and Vernon.
