DHS Removes Jacksonville From Counterterrorism Funding List

Citing budget cuts -- not necessarily a reduced threat -- the U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed Jacksonville from the list of cities receiving counterterrorism funds this year.

Jacksonville was one of 33 cities cut from the list, leaving 31 metropolitan areas on the list. Florida's remaining recipients are Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando.

In 2011, Congress cut DHS state and local preparedness grants by $780 million compared to the FY 2010 enacted level, nearly a quarter of DHS grant funding," said DHS spokesman Chris Ortman.

"The highest risk cities in our country continue to face the most significant threats, and, consistent with recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, the FY 2011 homeland security grants focus the limited resources that were appropriated to mitigating and responding to these evolving threats," he said in a statement to Sunshine State News.

DHS added that Jacksonville and other cities around Florida are still eligible to apply for a share of $64 million in additional security grants earmarked for the state this year.