US to lower transit terrorism alert level-sources
Posted on: Friday, 12 August 2005, 11:17 CDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is going to lower its terrorism alert level to "elevated" from "high" for buses, subways and trains on Friday -- a month after raising it in response to bombings in London, two U.S. government officials said.
The officials said the decrease in the threat level was expected to be announced later on Friday and would take place in the evening, after rush hour.
The department had raised the alert level on July 7, after bombings on the London transport system killed more than 50 people.
Homeland Security spokeswoman Katy Montgomery would not confirm the change in threat level to "yellow" or "elevated" for mass transit from "orange" which represents a high level of risk.
"At this time, the mass transit system remains at orange, but it is reviewed several times every day," she said.
Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the increase in the threat level was being made in the short term because of fears of a possible copycat attack.
At the time, Chertoff had said there was no specific, credible information of an imminent attack on the United States but has said that al Qaeda and its affiliates remained determined to target Europe and the United States.
The increase state of alert on mass transit meant more police were on watch and patrolling stations and platforms. There were also bomb-sniffing dogs on patrol, increased video surveillance of stations and more frequent inspection of trash receptacles.
In New York, police conducted random searches of bags carried by subway passengers.
Source: REUTERS
Related Articles
- New Report From Top Military Leaders Finds Current US Energy Policy Poses Serious Threat to National Security
- Transport Minister Announces Nearly $20 Million for Transit Security Projects
- Gartner Says the Consumerization of IT is a Major Threat to Enterprise Security
- Senate Draft Bill Addresses Chemical Plant Security Homeland Security Would Have Ability to Shutter Plants
- APEC Leaders in South Korea Say Bird Flu Serious Threat to Human Security
- U.S. Mass Transit Threat Alert Lowered
- Urgent: US Raises Terror Alert Level for Mass Transit Following London Blast
- Us Raises Alert Level for Mass Transit After London Explosions
- Va. Heightens Rail, Transit Security Measures
- Transit Security Funds Likely to Be Restored
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds