Mark Warner Pushes for Improved Port Security

BY KIMBALL PAYNE

NORFOLK - Seven years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks, there is still no overarching strategy for protecting international shipping hubs, former Gov. Mark R. Warner told business leaders and port officials Monday during a conference in Norfolk.

"Government has a role to play but it doesn't always have all the answers," Warner said. "The idea that we're going to just wait for federal money alone isn't going to fix it."

Warner came to Old Dominion University to help kick off a new fundraising effort designed to bring in private money to encourage port security research and development at cutting-edge technology companies and a handful of Virginia's colleges and universities.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks, Warner said, federal, state and local officials started patrols and safety procedures with a "hodgepodge of differing missions."

Warner noted that China is now able to scan 100 percent of the containers moving through its ports.

"If Hong Kong can do it, why can't we do it here?" Warner asked. "The challenge and the threat of terrorism isn't going to dry up and go away."

The fundraising effort will be led by the nonprofit Commonwealth Homeland Security Foundation, with the goal of raising $25 million in private money over the next five years. The foundation will use private donations to fund grants for research and development at technology businesses and colleges, including Old Dominion University, the College of William and Mary, the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.

The foundation's president, state Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, stressed the need for a more holistic approach to port security that engages private companies.

"Right now there are some good things going on," Lingamfelter said. "But right now nobody's getting their arms all the way around it."

Lingamfelter said he would be touring the state looking to meet with executives and researchers about new approaches to screening the goods that flow through Virginia's ports. He asked the 70 people at the lunch to grab a pledge card from the center of their tables.

"You can even use credit cards," he said. "I understand we've got a couple days while those things still work."

Lingamfelter's quip about the ongoing financial crisis underscores a major hurdle facing any kind of fundraising in the near future. But Lingamfelter said he is confident that ports, railroad companies, shipping companies, retailers and philanthropists will all see the benefit of investing in research.

"You've got to have some of that seed corn in place," he said.