The City of Chicago has some new money to work with to beef up security. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the Office of Emergency Management and Communications over $7 million in grants.

Andrew Velasquez is the executive director of Chicago’s OEMC. He says he can’t be too specific about how the money will be used for security reasons, but a lot of the money will go toward waterfront areas.

“The Chicago River winds through downtown and goes past some of the most, you know, iconic structures you’ll find anywhere in the city and so with this money we’re gonna take steps to make the Chicago River a safer waterway,” he says.

Last year the OEMC didn’t receive any money from Homeland Security.

The agency also gave over $3 million to the Illinois International Port District.