Combating nuclear terrorism: DHS should address limitations to its program to secure key cities : report to congressional requesters / United States Government Accountability Office.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office, author, issuing body.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Homeland Security--Rules and practice.

United States.

United States. Department of Homeland Security.

Nuclear terrorism--United States--Prevention.

Nuclear terrorism.

Radioactive substances--United States--Management.

Radioactive substances.

Metropolitan areas--Security measures--United States.

Metropolitan areas.

Federal aid to terrorism prevention--United States--Managment.

Federal aid to terrorism prevention.

Management.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 36 pages) : color illustrations

Other Title:

Combating nuclear terrorism: Department of Homeland Security should address limitations to its program to secure key cities

GAO-19-327 DHS's securing the cities program

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, 2019.

Summary:

Countering the threat that a terrorist could smuggle nuclear or radiological materials into the United States is a top national security priority. In fiscal year 2007, DHS initiated the STC program to reduce the risk of the deployment of a nuclear or radiological weapon by establishing capability in state and local agencies to detect and deter such threats. Since the program began, five participating cities have spent almost $145 million in program funds. This report examines (1) the extent to which DHS tracks cities' use of program funds and assesses their performance; (2) what assurance DHS has that cities can sustain capabilities gained through the STC program and the challenges, if any, that cities face in sustaining such capabilities; and (3) potential changes to the STC program and how DHS plans to implement them, the basis for these changes, and the extent to which DHS has communicated with cities about the impact of making changes. GAO is making four recommendations including that DHS regularly collect detailed information from cities on program expenditures; analyze risks related to sustainment, work with cities to address these risks, and enforce sustainment-planning requirements for cities in the program; and clearly communicate to cities how the existing program will operate until a new program is in effect.

Contents:

Background

DHS does not collect information to fully track cities' use of STC funds for approved purposes and assess cities' performance

DHS does not have assurance that cities can sustain capabilities gained through the program, and cities face funding challenges

DHS has not fully developed or documented potential program changes, including the basis for making changes, or communicated their impact on current STC cities

Conclusions

Recommendations for executive action

Agency comments

Appendices.

Notes:

"May 2019."

"GAO-19-327."

In scope of the U.S. Government Publishing Office Catalog and Indexing Program (C&I) and Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (GAO, viewed May 14, 2019).

OCLC:

1101177402