County offered $1.48M in Homeland Security grants NEW BRUNSWICK - Middlesex County will receive more than $1.48 million in 2007 Federal Homeland Security Grants to help safeguard its residents against any threats or acts of terror. Of the total, the county will receive $1,308,519 to use for county-specific security initiatives, which could include emergency communications upgrades, equipment, training and target hardening. The state will retain $174,027 to be used for overtime expenses should the state's security threat level rise to Orange/ Red Alert. Any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year would be returned to the county to use at its discretion. "My fellow freeholders and I are steadfast in our commitment to keep our residents safe," Freeholder Christopher D. Rafano, chair of the County's Law and Public Safety Committee, said in a press release. "These funds help us protect our first responders - the first line of defense in any emergency. The funds also help us stop acts of terror before they begin by giving us the resources to harden targets and train our staff and volunteers." Middlesex County received the fourthhighest grant total in the state. Award amounts are based on each county's risk factors, including assets, geography and population density. With more than 780,000 residents, Middlesex County is second only to Bergen County in population. A number of major arteries, including the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, Routes 1, 9, 440 and Interstate 287 all intersect within the County's borders. The county also is within very close proximity to New York City and other major urban centers. "We are at the crossroads of the state," Rafano said. "Our unique location and ample assets make us a highly desirable place to live and work, but at the same time raise our risk level. The state has recognized our unique position and we thank them for their insight and action." A state-mandated Middlesex County Working Group will meet next week to discuss how the funds are to be allocated. It will then make its recommendations to the Board of Chosen Freeholders. The working group is chaired by County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Rory Zach and includes Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, Freeholder Rafano, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan, other County officials and emergency management officials from the community. Between 2003 and 2006, the County received a total of $7.8 million in federal Homeland Security funds. Middlesex County also will split more than $36 million with six other counties and Jersey City and Newark as part of the Metro Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) group. Monies awarded through this program must be used for initiatives that will benefit the entire region, one of several throughout the nation singled out because of its proximity to and inclusion of large urban centers.