STATEMENTS OF MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY ON RESIGNATION OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NAPOLITANO

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

“Janet Napolitano played a vitally important role in protecting our country from terrorist attacks. Time and again, Secretary Napolitano recognized that homeland security funding must be based on threat, and threat alone. When funding was reduced for critical homeland security programs across the country, Secretary Napolitano made the politically difficult decision to maintain level funding for the NYPD because she recognized that New York City remains a top terror target. With her support, New York City continues to have the best local counter-terrorism organization in the world. We will miss her unwavering commitment to our safety and security, and we wish her the best of luck in her new role at the University of California.”

Statement of Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly

“Secretary Napolitano never lost sight of the fact that New York City was on the top of the terrorist target list and acted accordingly in funding important initiatives, including Securing the Cities. She performed a great public service not only for New York City but for the nation at large.”