May 11, 2007 Homeland Security grants port $6.2 million S.F., Richmond and Stockton also are big winners By Jim Herron Zamora Chronicle Staff Writer     The Port of Oakland will receive $6.2 million in Homeland Security grants, the federal government announced Thursday.     Oakland's share is the largest of the $14.2 million for local ports, including $2.4 million for San Francisco, $2.3 million for Richmond and $3.3 million for Stockton.     The awards delighted East Bay officials, particularly because Oakland was left out in last fall's round of Homeland Security grants.     "We're thrilled," said Libby Schaaf, director of public affairs for the Port of Oakland. "This money will go for critical port security projects."     The federal money will fund 75 percent of two projects to improve security around the port, which sprawls along the bayfront in West Oakland, with the port paying for the rest.     One project, called the wireless bridge, will provide the communication network for federal and local security personnel in the harbor area. The rest will go toward deploying more cameras and improving video analytics technology.     The new money for local ports is part of a larger $445 million package of Department of Homeland Security grants to protect commuters, shipping ports and transit systems.     The Oakland port received no Homeland Security funds in October, even though it is the fourth-largest port in the nation.     At the time, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, said lack of funding was "another example of the flawed priorities of the Bush administration when it comes to securing our nation." Lee, joined by Rep. Elaine Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek, and Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, complained that Oakland was rated too low.     In January, the federal government upgraded the port's rating, a Lee spokesman said. Thursday, Lee said her efforts paid off for the region.     "Securing our nation's ports should be one of our top security priorities, and I am glad to see that DHS is finally getting its priorities straight," she said. "Last fall, DHS was prepared to give us nothing for port security for the fourth-busiest container port in the nation, and we really had to take them to task, not just about the funding, but about making sure that funds are being allocated based on risk."     Oakland is the nation's fourth-largest cargo port behind Los Angeles, Long Beach and New York-Newark, N.J. With this grant, Oakland will have received a total of $20.5 million in federal Homeland Security funds.     E-mail Jim Zamora at jzamora@sfchronicle.com.     This article appeared on page B - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle     © 2007 Hearst Communications Inc.