We Are Important, But Let’s Hope the Terrorists Don’t Notice.

Federal anti-terrorism dollars have been earmarked, and guess what? Houston will get a bundle – $25 million, or 50 percent more than we got last year. And from the look of things, we’re going to need it.

Last year’s money was spent on a study involving emergency radios and — spooky — “the first stages of a video-monitoring safety program designed to pipe camera feeds from roadways and other public locations to a central command center for monitoring.”

But what does it mean that we get more money this year? As Harris County Judge Ed Emmett told the Chron, “Clearly, they recognize the growing importance of Houston. And I am glad they recognize that.”

So are we! It feels good to be a “Tier 1 City.” Booyah, Dallas! — Cathy Matusow

This article appears in Jul 13, 2007 – Jul 7, 2011.