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Protecting LA from Terror
Operation Archangel

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Protecting LA from Terror
Operation Archangel


July 2004

Mayor Jim Hahn announced that the city will receive $3 million to identify critical sites that could be targeted by terrorists and to develop plans to prevent attacks and respond to emergencies.

“Los Angeles could be a target, there’s no doubt about it,” Mayor Hahn said. “We all know about the plot to attack LAX during the millennium and Los Angeles is home to the nation’s busiest seaport, a diverse population and high profile events like the Oscars. Operation Archangel will help us identify likely targets, develop security plans to prevent attacks, and set plans in place that will help us respond to any incident.”

Los Angeles is the first city in the nation to receive funding for a program of this kind. The implementation of Operation Archangel will serve as a national model that will be replicated across the country. City officials and law enforcement personnel joined Mayor Hahn at Staples Center for the announcement.

“Los Angeles’ critical infrastructure goes beyond power plants and water mains and includes facilities like Staples Center, which generates millions of dollars for our economy and is, thanks to the Lakers, an internationally-known symbol of Los Angeles,” Mayor Hahn said. “Operation Archangel brings government and the private sector together to make sure that all of Los Angeles’ critical assets are protected.”

The $3 million is being awarded through the 2004 Urban Area Security Initiative Operation Archangel grant. Operation Archangel is a partnership among the City and County of Los Angeles, the California State Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Los Angeles Police Department will be the lead agency implementing this grant program.

Operation Archangel is divided into five distinct, yet integrated initiatives:

1.   Critical Asset Identification and Prioritization- to establish a list of critical infrastructure and guidelines for resource allocation and other decisions in the planning process and after an incident.
2.   Public and Private Partnerships- to prevent and deter terrorism and mitigate the effects of terrorist actions in regard to publicly and privately owned infrastructure.
3.   Critical Incident Assessments- to create a database of possible targets’ vulnerability, location, and pre-incident plans.
4.   Critical Incident Information Management System- to develop technology to assist on-scene incident commanders.
5.   Exercises and Training- to implement and maintain a state of readiness in the Los Angeles area.

“Since September 11, 2001, the City of Los Angeles has spent well over $150 million for enhanced security, new equipment, and training for its first responders,” Mayor Hahn said. “Thanks to these investments, improved cooperation with state and federal authorities, and the creation of a terrorism czar in the LAPD, Los Angeles is one of the best prepared cities in the nation. Now, Operation Archangel will help us further prepare our city to meet the challenges of any emergency. I would like to thank the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness for awarding us this grant.”