Nation on ‘high’ terrorist alert

Monday, Dec. 22, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

WASHINGTON -- The head of the Homeland Security Department today urged people to "just go about your business" despite the decision to raise the nation's terror-attack warning to its second-highest level.

At the same time, however, Secretary Tom Ridge said the Bush administration wants people to "be vigilant and have a good communications plan under way."

And, he stressed the intelligence community considered the new threat "the most significant threat" to the country since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"We've never quite seen it at this level before," Ridge told reporters after briefing the president at the White House.

The Transportation Security Administration, meanwhile, said vehicle inspections, parking restrictions and bomb-sniffing canine patrols have all been increased at the nation's airports.

Ridge sought to reassure the public that tightened security measures were in place and they should not alter their holiday travel plans.

"If you've got holiday plans, go," Ridge said.

Jerry Bussell, director of homeland security for Nevada, said that he and Gov. Kenny Guinn were on a conference call Sunday morning with Ridge.

"We've been through this before, and the only difference is that this time it's during our holiday season," Bussell said. "We don't want this color code change to be the grinch that stole Christmas.

"I've got my little nieces and nephews coming for Christmas, and they'll be flying through Las Vegas. We don't plan on changing anything with our family and our holiday plans."

Bussell, who was in Las Vegas this morning meeting with Metro Police and the FBI, said he has heard no reports of a credible threat against Las Vegas or Nevada.

"I expect that the color change will last throughout the holidays," Bussell said.

Sheriff Bill Young had not raised Metro Police's threat level to orange as of this morning, but a 10 a.m. meeting was scheduled with the FBI and local law enforcement officials to discuss the local threat level.

If Metro and other local police agencies do go to orange, vacation time will be canceled for officers and an emergency command post will begin operating. Other measures, such as additional officers being assigned to McCarran International Airport, could also be instituted.

Jim Blair, Transportation Security Agency director for McCarran, said that security has already been enhanced at the airport.

"There are increased security patrols and vehicle inspections," Blair said. "Those traveling may want to give themselves a little extra time, because the lines were already going to be long with holiday travelers."

The dual message that Americans shouldn't alter plans but should stay on their guard was echoed by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan during his news briefing.

"Americans should go about living their lives, but they should remain vigilant," McClellan said. "Americans can take steps just like the government is taking steps to prevent an attack from happening in the first place. They can report suspicious packages, unattended briefcases or other unusual materials immediately to law enforcement authorities."

McClellan said Americans can "make a plan for what they and their family would do in an emergency" following suggestions at the Homeland Security Department's web site at www.ready.gov.

He added that "the best away to prevent an attack from happening in the first place is to take the fight to the enemy and that's exactly what we have been doing since Sept. 11."

The comments came a day after Ridge announced that the government was elevating the national terror alert warning to "Code Orange." The upgrade from "Code Yellow," or "elevated" status, followed warnings that the terrorist organization al-Qaida may be plotting attacks against the United States during the holidays. The new designation indicates a high risk.

"The information we have indicates that extremists abroad are anticipating near-term attacks that they believe will either rival or exceed" the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Ridge had said in announcing the upgraded alert status on Sunday.

Appearing on ABC's "Good Morning America," Ridge was asked if the host of warnings and changes in warning status over the past two years had made the public somewhat nonchalant about such alerts.

He replied that it has been six months since the terror alert was changed, saying "I don't think we've got to worry about threat fatigue. We need to be on the alert and America needs to know that those who need to do things are doing them, that their government is working 24-7 to protect them against terrorist attack."

Some of the intelligence information gathered indicates that Osama bin Laden's terrorist network, al-Qaida, is seeking again to use planes as weapons, he said. Ridge said the terrorists are "constantly evaluating procedures ... to find gaps in our security posture that could be exploited."

The country's alert level had stood at yellow, an elevated risk and in the middle of the five-color scale, since May. Today Ridge said the change in the alert status was the result of information from "many sources," but said he could not be more specific.

An official speaking on condition of anonymity had said Sunday that some of the intercepted communications and other intelligence mentioned New York, Washington and unspecified cities on the West Coast. Authorities also are concerned about dams, bridges, nuclear plants, chemical facilities and other public works.

Sun reporter Jace Radke contributed to this story.