Title
Authorizing City Council’s Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to examine our City’s ports’ security measures and to further explore methods and resources available to ensure the safety of all neighborhoods surrounding the port terminals by guaranteeing that all shipments are properly inspected and that all terminals are secure.
Body
WHEREAS, While the nation’s airports have received billions to upgrade security, the country’s 361 seaports have far less federal funding for antiterrorism and security measures; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 5 percent of the 8.6 million shipping containers that flow into U.S. ports every year are inspected; and
WHEREAS, Federal funding to upgrade port security is mixed in with other transit security grants, meaning that ports must compete against mass transit for security funds; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 requires all U.S. ports to complete a vulnerability assessment. From this assessment, all terminals must develop a written security plan to address identified vulnerabilities. This plan must be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Once the plan is approved, the Coast Guard grants the terminal the right to operate. In order to ensure compliance, the Coast Guard carries out both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. If a terminal is in violation to their specific plan, the Coast Guard has the authority to issue fines or close the terminal; and
WHEREAS, There are seven major Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) terminals in Philadelphia along the Delaware River. In 2005, these facilities handled over 650 vessels; and
WHEREAS, These terminals’ are general cargo terminals, specializing in shipping the following materials: steel products, heavy lift, project, automobiles, trucks, heavy equipment, breakbulk, paper, newsprint, coated paper, wood pulp, other forest products, plywood, palletized, frozen meat, cocoa beans and cocoa products, fruits and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, PRPA terminals handled 204,912 containers, a 15.09 percent increase from 2004. The containers handled in 2005 totaled 4,366,094 metric tonnages, up 3.32 percent from 2004; and
WHEREAS, These ports have direct access to highways and railway connections; and
WHEREAS, PRPA terminals operate in compliance with the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Furthermore, these terminals have implemented access control security measures, guard personnel, including a Security Officer who is responsible for the security of their respective terminal; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 5 petroleum terminals located in Philadelphia’s port zone. These ports are also subject to the provisions outlined by the Maritime Transportation Security Act; and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Coast Guard has an Area Maritime Security Council that is responsible for a regional plan that links individual port plans together; and
WHEREAS, It is the joint responsibility of local, state and national enforcement entities to ensure that every Philadelphia port and surrounding neighborhoods are secure by conducting cargo inspections and by maintaining sound, on-site security measures; and
WHEREAS, It should also be the responsibility of these entities to protect surrounding neighborhoods by maintaining specific, functional and rehearsed emergency procedures to be carried out in the event of an emergency or disaster; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That authority be given to the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to examine our City’s ports’ security measures and to further explore methods and resources available to ensure the safety of all neighborhoods surrounding the port terminals by guaranteeing that all shipments are properly inspected and that all terminals are secure.
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