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Houston Ship Channel Security District ApprovedHarris County Commissioners Court Approves Security District to Further Improve Security for Employees, Citizens and Facilities Surrounding the Ship ChannelHOUSTON, June 10, 2009 -- Harris County Commissioners Court has approved a measure to further improve security for employees, residents and facilities surrounding the Houston Ship Channel. The unanimous court vote gave final approval for creation of the Houston Ship Channel Security District, a public-private partnership that will fund enhancements to security technology, infrastructure and processes along the ship channel. Commissioners Court approval on June 9, 2009, was the final step authorizing creation of the security district supported by private industry, law enforcement and public officials. A majority of facilities which will be in the security district approved creation of the district earlier this year. Security district projects and services apply to members within the district who have waterside and landside facilities, as well as associated supply chain and support industry surrounding the Houston Ship Channel community. Although primarily intended to deter terrorism, the security district will deter theft and other security and safety issues. The improved processes and technology as well as additional personnel and equipment will be applied during more routine events, such as hurricanes, evacuations, or plant upsets. Plans will mitigate disruptions and help members recover and restore normal operations more quickly, according to district organizers. The security district includes the Port of Houston and more than 100 refinery, chemical and marine facilities which will pay operations and maintenance assessments to the district. These funds supplement more than $31 million in Homeland Security Grants secured by Harris County to install technology and infrastructure to enhance security and increase preparedness and response capability. In addition to the technology and infrastructure, the security district includes specially trained Harris County Sheriffs Office personnel, marked patrol cars and patrol boats to provide rapid response times and improved communication with security district facilities. Harris County is a partner in the security district through in-kind services. Harris County Public Infrastructure Department engaged security experts, such as University of Houston's Southwest Public Safety Technology Center director Pat Bellamy, and industry security managers, as well as engineering firms to design proven, state-of-the-art security systems. Infrastructure improvements include wireless and fiber optic-wired communications systems, including integrated analytics and intelligent video software; surveillance and detection cameras, including closed-circuit television; night vision and motion detection technology; and land and water detection components such as radar, sonar, and security sensors. In June 2007, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed into law House Bill 3011 authored by State Representative Wayne Smith and sponsored by State Senator Mike Jackson, which authorized the creation of the district. The effort also enjoyed bipartisan support from our federal representatives - from Congressman Gene Green who helped get this effort started in the early stages to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in her role as chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia and County Judge Ed Emmett pushed through final approval for the security district. "The bottom line is that this security district makes our residents more secure from homeland security threats to our local industry," stated Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "Industry, the port, Harris County, the University of Houston, and other local government agencies are working together for a safer and more secure region." "This district creates a partnership that will definitely produce results," said Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Sylvia R. Garcia. "The nature of securing our region from harm is so complex that we need this district to ensure that we are all on the same page in providing the most comprehensive safety net with the dollars we have." Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia added, "This initiative will facilitate communication and cooperation among local law enforcement jurisdictions and the private sector to better protect this vital area of our community." "The district allows us to have a coordinated, system-wide approach to security for the entire waterway," said Port of Houston Authority Chairman James T. Edmonds. "Its creation is important not just for the Port of Houston but the state of Texas. This public-private partnership will now serve as a security model for the nation to keep our ports, our region and our country safe." "The ship channel industry helped create the district because it keeps people safe -- our communities, employees and facilities will be safer and more secure," said James Griffin, chairman-elect of the East Harris County Manufacturers Association. "This district benefits all of our members and the associated businesses and industries that supply or buy our products." Pat Bellamy of the University of Houston added, "The University of Houston's Southwest Public Safety Technology Center has engaged in this public-private partnership from the beginning because we understand the importance of using proven, state-of-the-art technology for security surveillance and interaction to keep our region safe. We also are dedicated to educating the next generation of engineering and security professionals to address our region's security needs." The district will be governed by a board of directors to be elected by security district members. At least eight directors from private industry will be selected to represent the district's security zones. Three other directors will include a representative of the port authority, a director appointed by the county, and a director appointed by the Harris County Mayors and Council Association. A steering committee representative of the partners involved in creating the security district will plan election details. About the Houston Ship Channel Security District The Houston Ship Channel Security District, a unique public-private partnership, improves security and safety for facilities, employees and communities surrounding the Houston Ship Channel. The district provides oversight of comprehensive and cost-effective security solutions. These solutions include an enhanced multi-layered approach that increases preparedness and response capability to mitigate and eliminate potential security threats within district boundaries, protecting landside and waterside facilities. Please visit www.hscsecurity.com About the Port of Houston Authority The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, there are more than 8,000 vessel calls at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage and second in overall total tonnage. The port authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. The second recertification of those facilities in 2009 included an extension for the state-of-the-art Bayport Container Terminal. PHA is the first port authority in the world to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification for Port Police and the perimeter security operations at both the Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=720
CONTACT: Harris Co. Judge Ed Emmett's Office
Joe Stinebaker
(713) 755-4027
Harris Co. Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia's Office
Mark Seegers
(713) 755-6220
Port of Houston Authority
Lisa Ashley-Whitlock
(713) 670-2644
Winkler Public Relations
Dennis Winkler
(713) 259-0195
Port of Houston Authority Copyright 2003 Port of Houston Authority • All Rights Reserved |
