DETROIT – As we enter spring of 2005, one thing hasn?t changed since 9-11 ? the $6.3 billion dollars already approved for distribution to states for security needs stands largely unspent ? to the tune of $5.2 Billion. That?s right, Billions with a B.

But wait. There?s more. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security fiscal year 2006 budget request includes a 7 percent increase ? for a total of $41.1 Billion at the national level. Since DHS was established in 2003, it has made good progress at the federal level, but it looks like we need to figure out how to get the pipes cleaned out to get these federal funds to be passed down to the state ? and Homeland security dollars may be on their way to Detroit.

Part of what the new DHS Chief, Michael Chertoff, promises to do is change the rules to let cities borrow money from the federal government faster if cities face imminent threats. Detroit is in a unique position as it relates to security and need. With the busiest Canadian international border in the country and the Superbowl less than a year away, Detroit needs to get very serious about beefing up its security.

If you are a first responder, or provide services or products to first responders in the Detroit metro area, this should be good news. Producers and distributors of communications and computer equipment, biohazard gear, chemical weapons sensors, and supplies like oxygen tanks and masks, as well as many other items, also will benefit.

As we ramp up our visibility to the world, I hope some of the other lessons learned from 9-11 will be brought to bear as these federal funds are spent. The systems that go into place need to allow sharing of information between disparate departments. Basic upgrades to existing systems should become a top priority.

When Mohamed Atta and his accomplice drove to Boston to board their commercial flight on Sept. 11, 1991, they were stopped by police on their way to the airport. A warrant for their arrest was issued by Florida, where they had received their commercial jet flight training. But then information was not shared nationally. The police officers who stopped Atta had no reason to detain him. He was allowed to go on his way and complete his mission, to fly a hijacked commercial jetliner loaded with fuel into the World Trade Towers in New York City.

Let?s hope another terrorist attack doesn?t strike Detroit during the Superbowl because of the outdated communications equipment used by the Detroit Police Department. Let?s use some of those Homeland Security dollars to wirelessly connect downtown Detroit with the surrounding suburbs, not because it is cool, but because of the capabilities it would put into the hands of our law enforcement and infrastructure services providers, not to mention the average citizen.

Police agencies and first responders NEED the ability to stay in constant contact, to have access to all relevant data in real time. These agencies? leadership needs the ability to closely monitor and manage their limited resources in the most effective manner possible. The amount of real time video surveillance monitoring that could be used to leverage limited manpower to cover a far larger than geographic area would be unprecedented.

I hope that efforts in the Metro Detroit area to attract Homeland Security dollars from the federal government are successful, and that these funds are used to help advance the Metro Detroit area?s ability to handle its impending responsibilities to its citizens and the hundreds of thousands of visitors that will come to Detroit for the 2006 Superbowl as Detroit takes the World stage.

Please let me know if you are working on funding initiatives for our state and have a story to share. You can reach me, Hans Erickson, at [email protected].