Houston Ship Channel Upgrades Security

Thanks to $31 million in federal homeland security grant funds, Harris County and the Port of Houston Authority are increasing security at the Houston ship channel. Among the security devices purchased to ensure safety along the port area are cameras, radar units, infrared imagers, sonar, a bomb-detecting robot and radiation detection devices. Additionally, the county is discussing purchase of five boats to set up a county marine unit to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in its patrolling of the channel.

Some 250 security cameras are expected to be installed along the more than 50 miles of channel. The cameras will help detect possible terrorism that might be facilitated by underwater swimmers, motorists or pedestrians. More cameras will be installed along highways and perimeters of industrial sites. Thermal imaging equipment will be used for night surveillance and both radar and sonar will be used to detect possible underwater threats.

The county will seek more than $9 million more in U.S. Homeland Security Department grants this year, which would require a $3 million match by the county. Port Authority Managing Director Wade Battles (pictured) said the Port Authority also will seek a $4 million grant to purchase vehicles to patrol such critical infrastructures as the Washburn Tunnel, Sherman Bridge, Hartman Bridge, Channel Toll Bridge, Lynchburg Ferry and the Bayport Container area.