SEPTA receives $4.5M in ARRA security funds

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will add 12 police officers to its force and purchase new anti-terrorism equipment with nearly $4.5 million in federal grants unveiled on Wednesday.

The funds will cover the salaries, equipment and related expenses for 12 new police officers. This will increase the number of law enforcement officers in the SEPTA Transit Police Department from 256 to 268. SEPTA will also use $1.2 million to purchase new anti-terrorism equipment.

SEPTA is one of 15 transit agencies receiving a total of nearly $78 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Transit Security Grant Program, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced.

"Securing our mass transit systems requires well-trained personnel on the ground to protect against those who seek to cause harm," said Secretary Napolitano. "This Recovery Act money will create critical law enforcement jobs that will help our nation prevent terrorist attacks."