Posted by Governor's Office on 18:07:17 12/16/04

NEWS RELEASE
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey
Date: December 16, 2004

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kelley Heck - 609-777-2600

CODEY SIGNS AGREEMENT GIVING STATE POLICE ENFORCEMENT POWER IN COAST GUARD ZONES


(Jersey City) - Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today signed agreements with the United States Coast Guard, giving enforcement power in Coast Guard homeland security zones to the New Jersey State Police.

The Coast Guard has established several homeland security zones within the regions of the Port of New York and New Jersey, and the Port of Philadelphia. The zones include the Global Marine Terminal in Bayonne; Ports Newark and Elizabeth; and areas surrounding critical infrastructure sites.

They are among numerous security zones the Coast Guard has designated across the country. But, as with most of the zones, the Coast Guard does not patrol the New Jersey zones regularly due to limited resources.

The two agreements Acting Governor Codey signed today give New Jersey State Police the power to patrol and enforce laws in those homeland security zones.

Prior to today's action, State Police did not have the power to stop, arrest or issue citations to boaters violating the security zones. Instead, State Police would have to contact and wait for the Coast Guard, whose assets might not be nearby. Today's agreements will give the State Police that power.

"New Jersey is at the forefront on homeland security. We've invested more than $300 million in State funds on security efforts; we are a national leader in bioterrorism preparedness; and we're working with the private sector to safeguard critical industrial sites," Acting Governor Codey said.

"Today we've reached another milestone in our efforts to keep New Jersey safe. Our State Police has been designated by the Coast Guard to patrol and enforce the Coast Guard's homeland security zones. New Jersey is only the second state that has received this designation. It is a testament to our own efforts on homeland security and the great training and professionalism of our State Police," the Acting Governor continued.

Acting Governor Codey signed the two agreements - one with the First Coast Guard District and one with the Fifth Coast Guard District - during a public ceremony today at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Sally Brice O'Hara, Commander of the Fifth District; and Rear Admiral David Pekoske, Commander of the First District; also signed the agreements. State Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes also attended today's event.

"We're working across traditional agency boundaries to make America stronger in the maritime domain," said Coast Guard Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, Commander of the Coast Guard's Atlantic Area. "As lead agency for Maritime Homeland Security, we must rely on our law enforcement partners at the federal, state and local level to ensure the safety of the American people. Working together like this just makes sense," she said.

New Jersey is uniquely on the front lines of the war against terror, with America's third largest port; the third largest statewide mass transit system; an international airport; one of the largest financial centers outside of New York City; the fifth largest oil refinery in the nation; and a large concentration of chemical and pharmaceutical plants.

The Ports of New York and New Jersey, and of Philadelphia, and the nearby critical infrastructure sites, are important regional assets - but are also potential terrorist targets.

Acting Governor Codey has pointed out the need for greater homeland security funding for the ports. President Bush's fiscal year 2005 budget includes only $46 million for port security grants nationwide - far less than the $400 million America's ports have identified as a minimum level of needed support.

"Our efforts do not stop here. This agreement highlights the unique needs of our region. We must keep fighting for the Federal government's support and funding, to make our ports and region safer. That fight must go on. But today is a very good day for New Jersey," Acting Governor Codey said.
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Photos and audio and video clips from Acting Governor Codey's public events are available
in the Acting Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/gov_newsroom.html

Follow Ups:

• Re: CODEY SIGNS AGREEMENT GIVING STATE POLICE ENFORCEMENT POWER IN COAST GUARD ZONES - directv 20:50:40 03/05/05 (0)