News Releases for December 2003
December 21, 2003
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Elevates State Threat Level To Orange
Governor Calls For Increased Awareness In Response To Nation's Heightened Alert
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today has directed North Dakota Homeland Security Director Doug Friez to activate the state’s emergency operation plan and raise the state’s terrorist threat level to orange, high condition, effective immediately. The action places the state’s law enforcement and other emergency personnel at a heightened state of alert through the holiday period and beyond.
“This raises special challenges during the holiday season for the public, especially travelers and security professionals,” Hoeven said. “We continue to work hard to prepare ourselves and our state for homeland security threats, no matter when they come. People should continue to be watchful, take reasonable precautions and report suspicious activity to law enforcement officials.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge this morning raised the nation’s Homeland Security Advisory Threat Level to orange and briefed homeland security coordinators and governors. The five levels of alert range from green, the lowest, through blue, yellow, orange and red, the highest. Ridge also asked the governors to take additional domestic security measures to protect people and property in response to indications of increased terrorist activity.
Ridge cited a significance increase in the volume of threat information available to the nation’s intelligence community, indicating possible attacks on the homeland and/or on U.S. interests abroad. A second factor, Ridge said, is that raising the threat level in the past has been found to disrupt or deter terrorist activity.
Friez is asking the public to be particularly vigilant in light of Secretary Ridge’s news and the Governor’s directive.
“The public may notice heightened security at the border and at airports,” Friez said. “Travelers may experience additional delays, but every effort is being made to keep them at a minimum, while ensuring safe travel.”
Citizens seeking preparedness suggestions and advice for families can find it at www.ready.gov and 1-800-Be-Ready.
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