Over $5 Million Secured: Rep. Gottheimer Unveils Major Anti-Terror Package Ahead of 25th Anniversary of 9/11
photos courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEW MILFORD, NJ — Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced a major federal action package aimed at strengthening security across North Jersey. Delivering over $5 million in clawed-back federal counterterrorism funding, the package provides critical resources, advanced equipment, and specialized training to local law enforcement across Bergen, Sussex, and Passaic Counties.
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco joined Congressman Josh Gottheimer as he announced new federal actions to support anti-terror equipment for North Jersey first responders and highlighted important lessons from the 9/11 Commission Report as we approach 25 years since September 11th.
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, “One of the most important lessons of 9/11 is that we can never become complacent when it comes to public safety and preparedness. We owe it to the men and women who protect us every day to make sure they have the equipment, training and resources they need to keep our communities safe.”
Joined by prosecutors, mayors, county executives, and police chiefs from across North Jersey, Gottheimer outlined targeted funding allocations, national safety legislation, and key recommendations to modernize local anti-terror initiatives.
Direct Counterterrorism Funding for North Jersey Towns
The newly secured federal funds focus heavily on modernizing intelligence technology, expanding officer training, and enhancing tactical capabilities for first responders:
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$50,000 for Every Town: All 65 municipalities across Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties in the Fifth Congressional District will receive $50,000 designated specifically for counterterrorism training.
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$1.5 Million for Bergen County: Dedicated funding to expand and modernize the Bergen County Real-Time Intelligence Center.
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$200,000 for Newton: Allocated to purchase a real-time intelligence platform for Sussex County law enforcement.
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$100,000 for Bloomingdale: Funding assigned for an active-threat response drone and protective tactical gear, including ballistic shields, armor, and breaching kits.
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$30,000 for Vernon: Designated to acquire a thermal search-and-overwatch drone for rapid day-and-night response.
Legislative Action: Aviation Barriers, 9/11 Education, and Responder Recognition
In addition to direct municipal funding, Congressman Gottheimer outlined critical legislative steps to bolster homeland security and preserve 9/11 history:
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Mandating Secondary Flight Deck Barriers: Pressing the FAA to finalize rules requiring secondary cockpit barriers on all commercial aircraft—including retrofitting existing fleets—to fulfill the final uncompleted recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.
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Nationwide 9/11 Education Bill: Partnering with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) on legislation ensuring 9/11 history is taught in schools nationwide (currently mandated in only 15 states).
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Honoring First Responders: Introducing a resolution cosponsored by New Jersey’s entire House delegation to honor 9/11 responders, recognize those lost to 9/11-related illnesses, and reaffirm federal support for the World Trade Center Health Program and Victim Compensation Fund.
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Implementing 9/11 Task Force Recommendations: Highlighting 20 bipartisan strategies to improve inter-agency information sharing, adopt artificial intelligence technologies, and expand public-private safety partnerships.
“We all have a responsibility, in honor of those who gave their lives, and for the sake of our democracy, to teach our children, our students, and our future leaders the history of our homeland,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “With today’s actions, we will keep fighting to protect our state, our homeland, and ensure that a tragic day like that one in September of 2001 never happens again.”
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