Secretary Ridge Says that Private Companies Must Help Fight Terrorism

?We need the private sector to step up,? Ridge said. ?We don?t have enough money to do everything that needs to be done.?

Ports and shipping companies are facing a July 1 deadline to have security programs in place for their docks and vessels, or face potential fines. The programs are based on regulations developed by the Homeland Security Department and the Coast Guard under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002.

The federal government plans to spend about $3 billion on security programs this year, but Ridge said ?We can?t go around using public money for every private sector need.?

Ridge noted that the 361 U.S. seaports protected by the Coast Guard do about $1 trillion in business each year.