Protecting America's Ports: Assessing Coordination Between

project summary 2003-ij-cx-1021 America's 185 seaports are high-risk targets for terrorist attacks. Not only would such attacks cripple US international trade, but most ports are located in major population centers amid extensive transportation networks, all of which increase their attractivness to terrorist groups. protecting these ports is the responsibility of variety of Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private and corporate security firms which must form a network of partnerships and collaboration to deliver effective secruity. However, to date, no comprehensive research has been conducted on port security. Responding to this need, the proposed study will conduct a national survey of extent and nature of public private partnerships in providing protective services in ports, including resources available, expertise, and partnerships formed among security providers. Based on survey findings, up to twelve ports will be selected for in-depth case studies of successful public private and intergovernmental partnerships, examining how those partnerships operate, what obstacles they encounter, and how those partnerships operate, and how they become successful. The project will produce a guidelines that will contribute to ensure effective provision of port counter terrorism security in our nation ports.