(Oswego, NY – Sept. 19, 2011) The New York State Police announced the continuation of an up-state program to enhance state and local law enforcement’s capabilities to detect and interdict radiological material before it can be used in a weapon by would-be terrorists.

An important component of New York State’s Homeland Security Strategy is to provide first responders – the men and women who are the front line of defense – with the equipment and training they need to protect the citizens of this State against weapons of mass destruction. Federal grant funding to the state, managed by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, has allowed equipment acquisition, training, and exercises to be conducted by the state law enforcement community to bolster their capabilities to combat radiological threats across the Empire State.

Since the attacks of 9/11/01, the New York State Police, along with other federal, state, and local response agencies have inherited the responsibility to deploy effective measures to protect our citizens against weapons of mass destruction. The detection and interdiction of illicit radiological material is now a necessary component of modern policing. These radiological detection technologies are integral tools in thwarting potential terrorist activities.

This program was launched in 2006 by the New York Office of Homeland Security using federal grant funds to purchase and deploy radiation detection equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies. Beginning in 2007, the New York State Police has orchestrated numerous exercises with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies across the state to further develop the capability to detect and interdict a terrorist seeking to use radiological materials as a weapon of mass destruction. To date, exercises have been conducted in Erie County, Onondaga County, Monroe County, Delaware County and the New York City region.

On Sept. 20, the New York State Police, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Border Patrol will conduct a joint training exercise in Oswego Harbor to test their ability to interdict radioactive material being transported by a vessel. This is not to be construed as there being a threat to the Oswego area, or that the government believes terrorists will attempt to smuggle radiological materials by this method. This is simply an example of law enforcement exploring all the potential threats vectors that a terrorist could pose and making the appropriate preparations to interdict these activities.

This event will provide information about the State’s Radiation Detection Plan and will give area media an opportunity to observe some of the equipment that law enforcement is now employing to locate radioactive materials.