joyraider
Legacy Member
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will announce Sunday that the threat level in the nation's capital will be raised from yellow (elevated) to orange (high), a government official told CNN.
Ridge was scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EDT.
A Homeland Security official said that Ridge planned to discuss "recent threat reports and update Americans about protective measures that are being put in place in response to these reports."
News of the level increase followed reports of new information indicating that terrorists plan attacks on corporate and financial institutions in New York and Washington, officials said Sunday.
The nation's threat level is at category yellow. But New York has remained at orange since the September 11, 2001, attacks.
A federal law enforcement official said the information, released late last week, suggests "there is a new plan in the works" targeting New York, while a Homeland Security Department official said the nation's capital was also mentioned as a target, although from a different source.
Washington Mayor Tony Williams and several other key officials have been briefed about the threat to international monetary organizations and other financial institutions, according to Tony Bullock, the mayor's director of communications.
"We are activating additional surveillance in specific parts of the city -- keeping a close eye on anything out of the ordinary," Bullock said. "DHS is just sharing what information there is."
Authorities said that they are not aware of any specific attack time frames.
A New York City official said Saturday there have been weekend meetings of police and Joint Terrorism Task Force members, which include federal agency representatives. The official said city agencies are on high alert.
On Friday, the FBI issued a threat advisory to law enforcement officials in New York. The New York Police Department says commercial and financial institutions and some international organizations were possible targets.
"The New York City Police Department has deployed its resources accordingly," the department said in a statement issued Saturday.
Homeland Security officials spoke with New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Friday night and indicated that the attacks might be carried out with car or truck bombs. Sources said the information came from a person overseas.
Federal officials also met with Ridge on Friday night and Saturday.
Among the precautions New York police recommended Saturday to companies are:
Consider posting a security officer at the fresh-air intake in heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooms, if they are accessible to the public, and be sure the rooms are locked.
Be wary of visitors who appear lost or disoriented, and people asking directions to sensitive areas.
Challenge and identify maintenance workers when maintenance has not been requested, and watch for unanticipated deliveries.
Quickly engage loiterers.
Thoroughly screen new employees and vendors.
Post clear signs indicating restricted areas, and that persons caught trespassing will be arrested.
Test alarm systems, and include doors to rooftops in the system.
New York is preparing for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin August 30 at Madison Square Garden.
The Department of Homeland Security has named the convention a national special security event, meaning the Secret Service will coordinate security.
Ridge said in early July that al Qaeda was planning a large-scale attack in "an effort to disrupt the democratic process" before Election Day on November 2.
tis momenteel breaking news op cnn (tv).. sorry voor de lange tekst, maar tis behoorlijk uitgebreid. uit zn speech kan je opmaken dat vandaag of morgen aanslagen worden verwacht.. de wereld is echt om zeep..
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Ridge was scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EDT.
A Homeland Security official said that Ridge planned to discuss "recent threat reports and update Americans about protective measures that are being put in place in response to these reports."
News of the level increase followed reports of new information indicating that terrorists plan attacks on corporate and financial institutions in New York and Washington, officials said Sunday.
The nation's threat level is at category yellow. But New York has remained at orange since the September 11, 2001, attacks.
A federal law enforcement official said the information, released late last week, suggests "there is a new plan in the works" targeting New York, while a Homeland Security Department official said the nation's capital was also mentioned as a target, although from a different source.
Washington Mayor Tony Williams and several other key officials have been briefed about the threat to international monetary organizations and other financial institutions, according to Tony Bullock, the mayor's director of communications.
"We are activating additional surveillance in specific parts of the city -- keeping a close eye on anything out of the ordinary," Bullock said. "DHS is just sharing what information there is."
Authorities said that they are not aware of any specific attack time frames.
A New York City official said Saturday there have been weekend meetings of police and Joint Terrorism Task Force members, which include federal agency representatives. The official said city agencies are on high alert.
On Friday, the FBI issued a threat advisory to law enforcement officials in New York. The New York Police Department says commercial and financial institutions and some international organizations were possible targets.
"The New York City Police Department has deployed its resources accordingly," the department said in a statement issued Saturday.
Homeland Security officials spoke with New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Friday night and indicated that the attacks might be carried out with car or truck bombs. Sources said the information came from a person overseas.
Federal officials also met with Ridge on Friday night and Saturday.
Among the precautions New York police recommended Saturday to companies are:
Consider posting a security officer at the fresh-air intake in heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooms, if they are accessible to the public, and be sure the rooms are locked.
Be wary of visitors who appear lost or disoriented, and people asking directions to sensitive areas.
Challenge and identify maintenance workers when maintenance has not been requested, and watch for unanticipated deliveries.
Quickly engage loiterers.
Thoroughly screen new employees and vendors.
Post clear signs indicating restricted areas, and that persons caught trespassing will be arrested.
Test alarm systems, and include doors to rooftops in the system.
New York is preparing for the Republican National Convention, which is scheduled to begin August 30 at Madison Square Garden.
The Department of Homeland Security has named the convention a national special security event, meaning the Secret Service will coordinate security.
Ridge said in early July that al Qaeda was planning a large-scale attack in "an effort to disrupt the democratic process" before Election Day on November 2.
tis momenteel breaking news op cnn (tv).. sorry voor de lange tekst, maar tis behoorlijk uitgebreid. uit zn speech kan je opmaken dat vandaag of morgen aanslagen worden verwacht.. de wereld is echt om zeep..
ad:
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