Implementing Homeland Security Technologies

Abstract

Since 9/11, advanced homeland security-related technologies and specialized services have been implemented—and more are under consideration—to prevent and detect security threats, and to respond to and recover from any incidents that occur. These technologies and services are expensive, and citizens differ in their support and willingness to pay for them. Support may be dependent on where one lives. If this is so, then it would be appropriate for public decision-makers in certain localities to expend more effort and scarce resources to pursue homeland security grants, participate in homeland security programs, and invest in homeland security technologies. The paper explores this notion by examining whether people who live in New York City are more likely to support, and more willing to pay for, terrorism prevention and detection technologies and services. The authors use data from surveys administered to citizens nationally and in New York City in 2006 and regression analysis to explore two causal models. The authors find that New Yorkers are more willing to pay for these services and technologies.

Keywords:

• citizen preferences
• homeland security
• willingness to pay