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WASHINGTON — New York’s finest in blue could use some green from the feds.
Empire State law enforcement agencies have been waiting five months for $86 million in funding from the Department of Homeland Security that helps thwart terror attacks.
DHS has left the NYPD, FDNY and others on the hook for the grant money after pledging to reverse a $187 million cut in its funding last October, reps for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office told The Post.
The timing for the funding lapse hurts law enforcement, as New York has “the highest risk of terrorism in the nation” and just recently responded to a terror plot outside of the New York City mayor’s mansion, per Hochul’s office.
The funding would reimburse the law enforcement agencies for its patrols around sensitive targets like houses of worship, hiring intelligence analysts, and funding tech such as radiation detectors to monitor for explosives and bomb squads.
New York has been left in the lurch despite an alleged ISIS-inspired attack earlier this month outside Gracie Mansion, with lawmakers and US officials warning of an enhanced threat environment since the start of the Iran war.
“When former DHS Secretary Noem cut nearly $200 million in critical counterterrorism and law enforcement funding, Governor Hochul immediately took action to get this money restored,” a rep for the governor said.
“Now, months later, New York is still waiting on $86 million to be returned — a dereliction of duty by the federal government that puts our ability to fund New York’s counterterrorism efforts in the future at risk.”
The Homeland Security Grant Program provides taxpayer-funded support to local law enforcement departments that help with “intelligence operations, mass gathering security, planning, equipment purchases,” and more.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had reportedly briefed members of Congress on the elevated risks from terrorists at home just days before two teens attempted to blow up improvised explosive devices in front of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence.
Accused terrorists Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were later federally charged for trying to detonate homemade bombs during a clash between right-wing activist Jake Lang and pro-Muslim counter-protesters.
“This isn’t a religion that just stands when people talk about the blessed name of the prophet,” Balat told NYPD cops after his arrest. “We take action! … If I didn’t do it someone else will come and do it.”
Federal prosecutors charged the pair for trying to provide material support and resources to ISIS, a US-designated foreign terror group, after Balat also penned a signed confession pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State.
The funding from DHS’ Federal Emergency Management Agency to New York’s State Homeland Security Program and Urban Areas Security Initiative most impacts NYPD spending on intelligence analysts and the cops’ counterterrorism unit, according to Hochul’s office.
Another $15 million for radiological response and other funding to FDNY was held up, and $13 million for Joint Task Force Empire Shield to protect transit hubs was also slated for a cut — but officials said the federal dollars support “public safety initiatives across every county in the state” as well.
A portion of the contested funding from the Homeland Security Grant Programs also became the subject of a court battle last September between Democrat-led states like New York and Illinois and the Trump administration that is currently on appeal.
First announced in 2015, the funding also went toward cameras, communications infrastructure and other equipment.
More than 70 terrorists plots have targeted the Big Apple since Sept. 11, 2001, according to NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch.
A federal judge temporarily blocked a portion of the withheld funds set aside for MTA counterterrorism efforts from being frozen, but FEMA later confirmed that the “full funding” of HSGP would resume as of Oct. 1, 2025.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to providing critical HSGP resources where they are needed most,” the agency said in a statement at the time.
It’s unclear whether the current closure of FEMA and other DHS agencies due to a partial government shutdown have affected the payments. Reps for DHS did not respond to requests for comment.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel will be testifying in open congressional hearings on worldwide threats later this week.
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