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May 30, 2003
The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with
the Homeland Security Council, has lowered the national threat level from Code
Orange or high risk of terrorist attack to Code Yellow or an elevated risk of
terrorist attack.
This decision is based upon a number of
factors including a review of the intelligence and assessment of threats. The
U.S. intelligence community has also concluded that the number of indicators and
warnings that led to raising the level have decreased and the heightened
vulnerability associated with the Memorial Day holiday has passed.
The lowering of the threat level is not a
signal to government, law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist
attack has passed. The U.S. intelligence community remains concerned that
Al-Qaida is attempting to exploit our weaknesses and believes that the United
States and its interests are still at a significant risk of terrorist attack.
Visible security does serve as a deterrent and
for this reason and for the safety and security of our nation, we will continue
to have security measures in place at federal facilities and other key areas of
the country. I encourage the nation's governors, mayors and other local
officials to remain vigilant during this period of elevated level of threat.
America has significantly more security
measures in place now at Code Yellow compared to last year. More and more
of our partners in the federal, state and local governments, and the private
sector have adopted the homeland security advisory system and have identified
protective measures to strengthen security and reduce the nation's vulnerability
to terrorist attacks.
We wish to thank all federal, state and local
government and public safety officials, representatives of the private sector,
and individual citizens for your patience and resolve. Know that your
efforts are making a difference. Through this partnership, we send a
signal to those who would do us harm that America stands alert, united, and
ready.
May 20, 2003
The Department of Homeland Security has made the
decision to raise the national threat level from an Elevated to High
risk of terrorist attack or Level Orange. The U.S. Intelligence
Community believes that Al Qaida has entered an operational period
worldwide, and this may include attacks in the United States.
A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk
of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in
the previous Threat Conditions, governmental departments and agencies
should consider the following general measures in addition to the
agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and
implement:
- Coordinating necessary security efforts with
Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National
Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
- Taking additional precautions at public events and
possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
- Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such
as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
- Restricting threatened facility access to
essential personnel only.
Please consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Webpage www.dhs.gov for additional
information.
April 16, 2003
President Bush has reduced the Terrorism Threat
Condition from High (Orange) to Elevated (Yellow). Although
we are now at a lower threat posture, an elevated risk of terrorist
attacks is still present. An Elevated Condition is declared when there
is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the
Protective Measures taken in the lower Threat Conditions, governmental
agencies should consider the following general measures:
- Continued surveillance of critical locations;
- Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with
nearby jurisdictions;
- Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the
threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective
Measures; and
- Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and
emergency response plans.
Please consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Webpage www.dhs.gov for additional
information.
CLICK
HERE FOR: Terrorism
Briefing to Commissioners
Court Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 9:10 AM
March 17, 2003
The Department of
Homeland Security made the decision to raise the national threat
level from an Elevated (Yellow) to High Risk (Orange) on March
17. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the
lower Threat Conditions, governmental agencies should consider the following
general measures:
- Coordinate security efforts with Federal, State, and
Local Law Enforcement;
- Take Additional precautions at public events;
- Prepare to execute additional Emergency Plans;
and
- Restrict access to high risk facilities.
Please consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Web
page www.dhs.gov for additional information.
CLICK
HERE FOR: Terrorism
Briefing to Commissioners
Court Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 9:45 AM
NEW:
FEMA'S Guide to citizen preparedness
Thursday, May
23, 2002 12:14 PM
Three armed individuals hijacked a truck carrying Sodium Cyanide in Mexico on
May 10, 2002. The truck and approximately one-third of its contents were
recovered in Pueblo, Mexico on May 16, 2002. 67 drums of Sodium Cyanide in small
briquette form were unaccounted for. Each briquette is 1 to 1.5 inches in length
and weighs one half to one ounce. There are indications that Usama Bin Ladin's
Al-Qaeda network has discussed possible terrorist plots involving Sodium
Cyanide. A mixture of 0.5-1.5 lbs with certain acids would release sufficient
cyanide gas to poison the atmosphere of a commercial airliner and/or movie
theater. 3 lbs into a 1,000 gallon water truck could make the water lethal. By
contrast, 1.5 million pounds of sodium cyanide would be required to contaminate
a large (1 million gallon) water reservoir. Sodium Cyanide could also be
introduced directly into food products. One-tenth of an ounce is sufficient to
cause death when digested.
Wednesday, May 22, 2002 1:16 PM
The FBI has issued a warning of possible terrorist threats to U.S. Oil
Facilities. Terrorist groups are allegedly targeting petroleum terminals,
pipelines, refineries, and ships. Islamic extremists are seeking detailed
information on U.S. Oil Company operations and assessing the possible impact of
oil disruptions on the U.S. economy. Please notify your local FBI field office
of any suspicious activity.
Thursday, May 16, 2002 2:28 PM
A cold front will move southward into the Hill Country Friday
afternoon and work its way to the coast by Saturday morning. Strong showers and
thunderstorms are expected to arrive late Friday afternoon and evening. Some of
these thunderstorms will be severe creating strong wind/hail.
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