The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced plans Thursday to centralize its security department.  A year long study by the agency uncovered a lack of coordination between the different divisions at its airports, tunnels, bridges, buildings and seaports.

Former Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff has been hired to spearhead the efforts.

He will also oversee the use of infrastructure and technology in developing protections for the agency’s various properties, including the World Trade Center site.

“This is not a cause for alarm, it’s a cause to reassure the public that this agency is
continuing to reevaluate and reconsider and takes steps to improve rather than being complacent. I think that’s a really good, comforting thing for people t think about,” Chertoff said.

“We have a chief financial officer, finances are important. We have a general counsel who is in charge of legal issues. We haven’t done that with respect to security. We’re now doing it, we’re making it part of the high-ranking organizational structure of the organization,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye.

The agency says it will conduct an international job search to find someone to head up the new department.

In addition to streamlining security, the Port Authority Board says it plans to eliminate bonuses for all non-union workers and have them contribute towards their healthcare premiums.

The move is expected to save $41 million over the next 18 months.

(Source: NY1)