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CIAO DATE: 11/5/2006
Is Port Security Spending Making Us Safer?
Veronique de Rugy
September 2005
Introduction
Congress should direct homeland security funding to programs that provide the greatest return in the most crucial security missions. Since the number of possible attacks is effectively unlimited and the resources we can devote to the fight against terror are limited, spending should not occur without a careful cost-benefit analysis. Most importantly, it is perfectly reasonable to decide not to implement an antiterrorism measure, not because it has no benefit, but because the costs are too high compared to the potential benefits. Of course, programs that are not cost effective should never be implemented.
The greatest threats should be addressed first. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should prioritize threats that have a relatively high probability of occurring and pose catastrophic consequences. It should then develop, acquire, and set in place the tools and techniques needed to prevent, respond, or recover from such awful scenarios. By this rubric, nowhere is it more important to develop cost-effective security plans than in the area of maritime security....
