Exclusive | New York police locked out of $86 million in counterterrorism funding promised by Noem

WASHINGTON — New York’s finest in blue could use some green from the feds.Empire State law enforcement agencies have been waiting five months for $86 million in funding from the Department of Homeland Security that helps thwart terror attacks.DHS has left the NYPD, FDNY and others on the hook for the grant money after pledging to reverse a $187 million cut in its funding last October, reps for New York Gov.

Kathy Hochul’s office told The Post.The timing for the funding lapse hurts law enforcement, as New York has “the highest risk of terrorism in the nation” and just recently responded to a terror plot outside of the New York City mayor’s mansion, per Hochul’s office.

The funding would reimburse the law enforcement agencies for its patrols around sensitive targets like houses of worship, hiring intelligence analysts, and funding tech such as radiation detectors to monitor for explosives and bomb squads.New York has been left in the lurch despite an alleged ISIS-inspired attack earlier this month outside Gracie Mansion, with lawmakers and US officials warning of an enhanced threat environment since the start of the Iran war.“When former DHS Secretary Noem cut nearly $200 million in critical counterterrorism and law enforcement funding, Governor Hochul immediately took action to get this money restored,” a rep for the governor said.“Now, months later, New York is still waiting on $86 million to be returned — a dereliction of duty by the federal government that puts our ability to fund New York’s counterterrorism efforts in the future at risk.”The Homeland Security Grant Program provides taxpayer-funded support to local law enforcement departments that help with “intelligence operations, mass gathering security, planning, equipment purchases,” and more.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had reportedly briefed members of Congress on the elevated risks from terrorists at home just days before two teens attempted to blow up improvised ...