Terror alert heightened

Deepa Bharath

Local public safety agencies said they heightened their states of

alert after fresh warnings of terrorist attacks on Friday as the

nation teeters on the brink of war with Iraq.

The Homeland Security Department raised the threat level from

yellow to orange, or high, because of “increased terrorist

communications chatter” picked up by intelligence sources, Rep.

Christopher Cox said in a statement issued Friday.

“Because of this increased chatter, armed forces and law

enforcement are being placed on a higher state of alert, and the new

Homeland Security Department is working to coordinate efforts to

prevent any attack,” said Cox, who chairs the Homeland Security

Committee.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol stationed in Newport

Harbor has increased patrol checks, Sgt. James Thomas said.

“We’ve also made sure we’re well-staffed in all our locations,” he

said. “But mostly, we’re exercising utmost vigilance and caution in

our day-to-day activities.”

Newport Beach police are not “doing anything drastically

different,” Sgt. Steve Shulman said.

“We’re going to continue to stay in a high state of alertness,” he

said.

Shulman said police will also watch over buildings such as hotels

and financial institutions, which are believed to have been mentioned

in recent terrorist communications.

The Westin South Coast Plaza, one of the biggest hotels in the

area, has increased its security, said Bill Allison, the hotel’s

director of sales and marketing.

“We have 24-hour security, as well as morning and evening

coverage, in our lobby,” he said. “We also have security all around

the hotel by the South Coast Plaza security team.”

Allison said that although they have had tight security all the

time, they will have increased security with the new warning

specifically relating to hotels.

John Wayne Airport is also taking steps to ensure passenger

safety, spokeswoman Ann McCarley said.

“We’ve implemented additional resources because of the high,

orange alert,” she said.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].