NTI - Global Security Newswire, 29 Sep 2009.

 New York is set to receive $12 million to augment a program intended to protect the city from nuclear or radiological strikes.

Securing the Cities is a pilot program that has surrounded New York City with radiation sensors. The Obama administration had allocated no money for the initiative in its fiscal 2010 budget, but Serrano said he and Representative Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) were able to retrieve some funding.

“New York City is always atop terrorists’ list of targets, so we have to work especially hard to thwart attacks,” Serrano said in a press release. “This $12 million will pay to continue to develop the radiation detectors that keep us safe from the threat of dirty bombs. Besides protecting us, this program is a vital testing ground for the strategies and technologies that can later be deployed to other cities in our nation. I am proud that Nita Lowey and I were able to ensure that this vital funding was prioritized in the Homeland Security Department budget. This project is simply too important to fall to the bottom of any list.”

Local, state and federal agencies have collaborated on funding and operation of the program, with an eye toward replicating it in other cities, according to the release. The program since 2006 has received $73 million in federal funding.

Some lawmakers from New York had hoped to see the program receive $40 million in the next budget year, which begins Thursday. "New York City is always the number one target of terrorists," said Senator Charles Schumer (D). "If we let our guard down, it will make it easier for them to accomplish their evil goals"

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