SAFE Port Act takes aim at terrorism
The Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act was signed into law October 13 by President Bush, accompanying the Secure Fence Act and legislation aimed at reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Under the SAFE Port Act, all imported containers will be scanned for radiation. This involves installing monitoring devices and developing rules for operation. Money allocated for SAFE Ports totals $6.7 billion.
The legislation allows the Department of Homeland Security to check for terrorists and organized crime members among port workers, and the DHS can also create watch lists. Joint operations centers will be set up at ports to coordinate local, private-sector firms, and state and federal partners.
This law also requires the DHS to conduct and evaluate security measures in foreign ports and bolster the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. The United States will be able to loan equipment to host nations for container assessment.
