Security Briefs - Jan. 1 - Jan. 7
The Latest Headlines:
- Ridge Says U.S. to Remain on Orange Alert
- Members of Congress Push for New Security Measures
- U.S. Plans Review of Security at Nuclear Facilities
- Trucking ISAC Conducting Security Survey
- Members of Congress Push for New Security Measures
Ridge Says U.S. to Remain on Orange Alert
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Monday the terror level would remain at orange for at least the next several days, Agence France-Presse reported.The color-coded alert system was raised on Dec. 21 to orange or "high" from yellow, which the government defines as "significant" risk of terrorist attacks.
Ridge said the government reviews intelligence tied to the alert status at least once a day, AFP reported.
Members of Congress Push for New Security Measures
On the heels of a new program to fingerprint and photograph foreigners arriving at airports, members of the House Homeland Security Committee have called for closing additional security gaps, the Associated Press reported.Committee Chairman Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) said the government is working on an assessment of vulnerabilities. Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) said the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach do not yet have a good system of inspecting cargo, even though 43% of U.S. container traffic enters or exits these ports.
In addition, Sen. Charles Schumer on Sunday proposed fortifying cockpit doors and improving cargo tracking and screening to make it less vulnerable, AP said. Transport Topics
U.S. Plans Review of Security at Nuclear Facilities
The Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration plans to review locks, keys and security procedures at facilities nationwide, the Associated Press reported.A team of inspectors to launch the security review in February, AP said. The review could include the movement of trucks in and around these facilities.
In July, NNSA announced plans to reinforce safeguards with added security experts, more frequent surveillance, a review of past studies and investigations and creation of a commission and separate panel for more long-range planning. Transport Topics
Trucking ISAC Conducting Security Survey
The Trucking Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which is operated by the American Trucking Associations, said it was conducting a survey to determine measures trucking companies are taking in response to terror threat information.It also is trying to find out whether companies are encountering any business impairment as a result of delays related increased security at airport, ports, border crossings and roadside security inspections.
ATA said companies interested in contributing to the survey should send comments to securetruck1@trucking.org. Transport Topics
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