Local law agencies remain on alert

Jace Radke

Thursday, April 17, 2003 | 9:49 a.m.

Law enforcement agencies around Clark County lowered terrorist threat levels Wednesday, but said that they remain alert to possible attacks.

"The drop in levels really only means that we'll adjust some of our personnel," Metro Police Homeland Security Capt. Mike McClary said. "We will remain at a high state of vigilance."

McClary said that there may be some changes in personnel working at certain areas or installation, but would not comment more specifically, citing security concerns.

Officials at Metro and the federal Bureau of Reclamation, which is responsible for security at Hoover Dam, said that any changes would not be apparent to the public.

FBI spokesman Special Agent Daron Borst said that locally agents stopped round-the-clock staffing of the Joint Terrorism Task Force Command Center last week. He also reiterated that the FBI has no information of a credible threat to Las Vegas.

Bureau of Reclamation officials said that the intensity of car searches at the dam may decrease, but added that the prohibition against tractor-trailers and the searches of motor homes would continue. Nellis Air Force Base remains at security level Bravo, two levels below the maximum level of Delta.

Henderson Police and other law enforcement and emergency agencies also returned to yellow alert.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge raised the level to orange on March 17, when President Bush issued an ultimatum to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"While we continue to be at risk to the threat of terrorism at an elevated level, extensive, protective measures remain in place throughout our nation," Ridge said. "We must be vigilant and alert to the possibility that al-Qaeda and those sympathetic to their cause, as well as former Iraqi-regime state agents, may attempt to conduct attacks against the U.S. or our interests abroad."