Rep. Payne ‘Deeply Troubled’ By Anti-Terrorism Budget Cuts

Newark and Jersey City are among the most densely populated areas in New Jersey. But according to U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10), recent cuts to federal programs designed to fight terrorism may mean some “hard choices” are on the horizon for law enforcement officials in two of the Garden State’s largest cities.

Last week, Payne, a Democratic lawmaker who represents parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties, announced that FEMA’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program will see significant cuts to its programs in Newark and Jersey City.

According to Payne, the announced grants include $20,050,000 from the UASI program to benefit law enforcement terrorism prevention activities in the Newark and Jersey City areas. The UASI grant for Newark/Jersey City is down about $2.7 million (11%) from fiscal year 2018 funding levels.

“Urban Area Security Initiative grants are essential for law enforcement training and preparedness for acts of terrorism in urban areas,” Payne said.

“Newark and Jersey City are among the most densely populated areas in the United States,” Payne continued. “Law enforcement and emergency preparedness professionals are constantly training, planning, and equipping themselves to respond to the threat of terrorism in our communities. They rely on UASI grant funding to ensure that New Jersey is a safe place to live, work, and raise families.”

Payne said he was “deeply troubled” that FEMA is cutting UASI grant funding for the Newark and Jersey City area.

“As these cities grow, they face unique threats that require law enforcement to constantly adapt,” he charged. “Last year in the Newark and Jersey City area, an anti-abortion extremist stole a truck and rammed it into a Planned Parenthood clinic in East Orange. By taking $2.7 million of UASI grant funding from the region, FEMA is forcing the state of New Jersey to make hard budget choices in an environment where bad actors are constantly challenging the resources of state and local governments.”

• See related article: Man Used Truck To 'Attack' NJ Planned Parenthood Clinic

Payne said that as chairperson of the Subcommittee for Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for the House Committee on Homeland Security, he plans to “push FEMA to help law enforcement ensure the safety of our communities.”

New Jersey's 10th Congressional District – which encompasses parts of Essex, Hudson, and Union counties – includes the following municipalities: Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange, West Orange, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hillside, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park and Union Township.

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com