For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced approximately $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for a new inline baggage handling system with enhanced explosive detection technology at Dayton International Airport—a project which will accelerate the passenger check-in process and enhance airport security.
“This state-of-the-art equipment will expedite the check-in process and keep passengers safe through improved baggage screening capabilities,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Investing Recovery Act dollars at Dayton International Airport will bolster security while boosting Ohio’s economy.”
The new ARRA-funded equipment will replace five stand-alone screening machines. Inline explosive detection systems eliminate the need for passengers to walk their checked baggage to a screening location and wait before proceeding to the security checkpoint. In addition, the systems provide on-screen resolution capabilities for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers which reduce the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.
Last week, Secretary Napolitano announced more than $240 million in ARRA funding for inline baggage handling systems at 10 airports across the country—additional projects made possible by savings achieved through TSA’s cost assessment and negotiation process.
Since June, Secretary Napolitano has announced more than $354 million in ARRA funding for explosive detection system projects at 18 airports in California, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.
In awarding ARRA funds, DHS prioritizes shovel-ready projects that infuse resources into local economies quickly while meeting critical security needs.
ARRA, signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 19, committed more than $3 billion for homeland security projects through DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA). Of the $1 billion allocated to TSA for aviation security projects, $700 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $300 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technology.
To learn more about the DHS Recovery Act projects, visit www.dhs.gov/recovery.
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