Austin gets terrorism prevention grant

A $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will help the city of Austin “guard against acts of terrorism,” according to a news release. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas called Mayor Kirk Watson on Monday to give him the news of the Urban Areas Security Initiative Grant Program award, which “targets security funding to high-threat urban areas to prevent, respond to and recover from threats or acts of terrorism.” Austin will share the funding with Travis, Williamson and Hays counties and the city of Round Rock. Watson said, “Our approach to readiness must evolve to reflect the threats as they are today, and this federal grant will help us be smart and nimble in our efforts to protect Austin from terrorism. Thank you to Secretary Mayorkas and our congressional delegation for this assistance.”