Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced October 1, 2009 more than $355 million in funding for more than a dozen airport security projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These state-of-the-art technologies will bolster security and increase efficiency for both travelers and employees,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Investing Recovery Act funds in these critical airport projects will create jobs in local communities while strengthening our efforts to guard against terrorism.”

Secretary Napolitano announced approximately $254 million in ARRA funds for inline baggage handling systems at six airports—including Washington Dulles International Airport; Mineta San Jose International Airport; San Antonio International Airport; Portland (Maine) International Jetport; Port Columbus International Airport; and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Families will be delighted to hear that inline baggage handling systems eliminate the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location and wait before proceeding to the security checkpoint. In addition, they incorporate enhanced explosive detection technology.

Secretary Napolitano announced approximately $38 million in ARRA funds to support new and enhanced closed circuit television (CCTV) systems, which will enhance surveillance capabilities at six airports, as well as approximately $37 million for the purchase and installation of multiple additional checkpoint technologies—including $15 million for Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) units, which detect traces of explosives.

Of most interest to us is the $22 million allocated for Bottled Liquid Scanners (BLS), a technology that screens medically necessary liquids such as infant formula and liquid medications to ensure they do not contain a threat.

More than $25 million will fund the purchase and deployment of approximately 150 backscatter advanced imaging units to airports across the nation—designed to bolster security by quickly screening passengers for concealed threats of all kinds without physical contact. This deployment follows a successful pilot phase, during which 46 imaging technology units were deployed at 23 airports and passengers opted to use imaging technology for primary screening 99 percent of the time.

ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 19, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA). Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $700 million was dedicated to screening checked baggage and $300 million was allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technology and closed circuit television systems.

To learn more about the DHS Recovery Act projects, visit www.dhs.gov/recovery.