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The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness has made a significant amount of money available to states and cities to prevent, prepare and respond to terrorism. Nearly $4 billion has been made available to state and local governments to help first responders and offset costs associated with extra security measures.

Due to its proximately to New York City, as well as many critical infrastructure considerations, the Township of North Bergen was a prime candidate for a portion of this funding. Since 2003, the Township of North Bergen was able to secure over $400,000.00 from the federal government for the appropriation of equipment related to homeland security. This equipment will help give the North Bergen Police Department the means necessary to increase public safety while at the same time adding to the protection of police department personnel and other first responders.

Homeland security funds have been used to provide the police department with various equipment and training, but the bulk of funds allocated from the Domestic Preparedness Task Force will be utilized to purchase a mobile command vehicle. A mobile command vehicle was necessary for many reasons:

• The rapid deployment of personnel and emergency equipment to crime scenes, natural and man-made disasters, and incident command locations.
• In the event of a communications failure at headquarters, the mobile command unit can be used as a remote communication center.
• A mobile command unit is crucial in the event of a criminal or terrorist hostage situation where logistics and remote surveillance may be necessary.
• A mobile command vehicle would greatly increase our ability to harden most critical infrastructure locations.
• Outfitted with advanced surveillance and monitoring equipment, the command vehicle will allow the police department to identify criminal activity or threats from locations never before possible.

The mobile command vehicle was designed by the North Bergen Police Department's Special Services Unit and is currently under construction. The Department hopes to have the completed vehicle in service before the summer of 2007.