Las Vegas heightens security measures

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 | 11:22 a.m.

As the Bush administration raised the nation's terror alert to orange, the second-highest level, Las Vegas law enforcement officials said Tuesday they have heightened security measures, but would not discuss specifics.

"There are a host of reasons, no one single reason, why they elevated the alert level," Capt. Michael McClary, of Metro Police's Homeland Security bureau said. "There is a host of challenges and threats."

There is no credible or specific threat to Las Vegas, McClary said.

Federal authorities said "general information" from intelligence sources led to the heightened terror alert.

"The Las Vegas community is part of the United States and the United States is under threat," McClary said, noting the upcoming Memorial Day weekend is expected to be busy for Las Vegas.

The local emergency operations center has not been opened, but could open if anything happened, McClary said.

There will be no additional costs to Metro Police, Las Vegas or Clark County firefighters or other emergency crews, McClary said.

"This is not the first time we've done this," he said. Under higher alert levels, officers and personnel are shifted from other duties to specific tasks.

Security at Hoover Dam also has been increased, according to Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Bob Walsh. Inspections of cars crossing the dam will be increased, and the number of security guards visible on approaches to the water also will be increased, he said.

The dam will remain open for visitors and tours, he said.

McClary asked local residents to report any suspicious behavior.

"If you see something out of the ordinary, if you see an individual out of place, if you see something suspicious, call," he said.

Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief William Kourim said all emergency crews, including hazardous materials responders and rescue crews, have been informed of what to expect during the orange alert.

"What we do is give them as much information as possible," Kourim said.

Metro Police serves as the lead agency in case of most emergencies, he said.