How Secure Are Our Ports?

Feb. 20, 2006 — -- Of all the cargo shipped through the country's seaports, roughly 7 percent is checked by security.

In fact, on two occasions, ABC News was able to ship depleted uranium through U.S. ports.

"No question that the ports are one of the true vulnerabilities," said Jerry Hauer, former New York City chief of emergency management. "So little cargo is inspected that the likelihood of getting something through a port is very high."

Homeland security officials say they have increased the number of targeted spot checks at the nation's ports and deployed more sensors to detect chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Yet some local officials believe the government is not doing nearly enough to upgrade port security. Baltimore's mayor wants more surveillance cameras and much wider use of technology to scan for weapons.

"I think it's appalling that the wealthiest nation on the planet would invest so little in port security," said Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley

Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. has spent $18 billion to improve aviation security. Over the same time frame, according to one congressional study, the U.S. spent roughly $560 million to help cities secure seaports.

But some security analysts question whether throwing more money at the nation's ports will really make us safer.

"The best investment we can make for preventing a mushroom cloud over an American city is to prevent the terrorist from getting their hands on the nuclear material first," said homeland security analyst Randall Larsen.

Once a weapon reaches the ports, it may be too late.

ABC News' Pierre Thomas and Martha Raddatz reported this story for "World News Tonight."