Thread: AZ Swings Into Action, Boosts Bus, Border Patrols

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... -az08.html

Arizona swings into action, boosts bus, border patrols

Robert Anglen and Bob Golfen
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 8, 2005 12:00 AM

The four terrorist bombings that ripped apart London's transit system served as a test Thursday for Arizona's emergency preparedness.

From increased security of state transit systems to instant coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and public health officials, the emphasis was on readiness.

Arizona Office of Homeland Security Director Frank Navarrete said systems put into place since 2001 went into full operation Thursday with a 4 a.m. phone call from federal authorities about four bomb blasts that disrupted London's subway and bus system and killed at least 37 people.

Phoenix police were patrolling bus stations and bus routes, plainclothes transit officers were riding Valley buses, inspections were conducted on transportation maintenance yards, U.S. customs agents were taking steps to increase security along the Arizona-Mexico border, and emergency officials statewide were put on alert.

"I hate to use the word vigilance, because we have heard it so many times," Navarrete said during a brief news conference at the capitol. "I think our baseline has increased. . . . We are much more secure."

Gov. Janet Napolitano called it a "better safe than sorry" situation.

"Right now, the message is for Arizonans to go about their lives," she said.

James Kleinhans of Mesa seemed happy to do that.

"It's another wake-up call, but I don't see it affecting how I go about my day," he said. "I may be more aware, but not to the point that I make any major changes."

Napolitano, who attended school in the United Kingdom and plans to travel to London later this month, offered sympathy to the British people. She also praised the United Kingdom for its preparation efforts, saying the emergency response there was swift and effective.

"One of the major lessons learned in the last (few) years is focus," she said.

Nationally, major metropolitan areas were advised to heighten security on transit systems as the threat level for the bus system was raised from yellow to orange.

By early morning, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon met with transportation and police officials to beef up security on buses. The mayor also urged riders to pay close attention to people and packages and report anything suspicious.

"We've increased the drive patrols that go by bus stops and bus stations that we weren't required to do," he said. "We wanted to have more of a police presence along bus routes. It's calming."

Although these bombings are far removed from Arizona, said Micholas Obae of Mesa, "you can never know who or what the next target is, which is frightening."

Gordon said the decision to take extra precautions were made by the city's Crisis Management Team, including the mayor, the city manager, a deputy city manager, the city's homeland security director and the public information director.

"I think this should be a continual reminder that in a free and open society we face the ongoing dangers from those monsters called terrorists who try to stop democracy. . . . We should not take our security for granted," Gordon said. "Unfortunately, this (London bombing) reminded us of that again."

Phoenix police officers were supplementing Valley Metro safety officers, said police Commander Chris Shawkey, who heads security for the Phoenix Public Transit Department, which operates the majority of Valley bus services.

"We have a planned response for whenever the threat level increases," Shawkey said. "The last time we moved up to orange was with the Madrid bombings." He was referring to the March 2004 terrorist bombing in Spain that killed 191 people at a train station.

Although he wouldn't go into detail about the safety measures, citing security issues, Shawkey said bus security is more challenging than airport or rail measures because of multiple stops and public-street operations.

"The main challenge is that there are so many access points to get on the buses," he said. "There are hundreds of bus stops, and we can't be at all of them."

Because of that, bus riders themselves constitute the first line of defense, Shawkey said.

"Primarily, what we ask of the public and our employees is to be more aware of their surroundings," he said. "So if they see something that doesn't look right, they should notify the (bus) operator or transit officer and let them know about it."

Riders also can call Valley Metro as (602) 253-5000 or the 911 emergency police number, he added.

Security was heightened at the East Mesa Transit Center, where much of the East Valley's bus service originates, said Linda Gorman, spokeswoman for the Mesa Transportation Division.

"They're making sure the buses are kept very clean, that there are not any items left on the buses, and keeping their eyes and ears open to any activity that's out of the ordinary," Gorman said.

Although national terror alerts were directed toward buses and subways, the Arizona Office of Homeland Security was quick to point out that airports and the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix always operate as if they are on high alert.

"They operate at the highest levels all of the time," Homeland Security Office spokeswoman Cam Hunter said. "They are generally at red. . . . They don't live in blue or green."

Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the state's Office of Homeland Security has been working to ensure there is communication between emergency officials and agencies. The state has been divided into five regions, each of which is equipped with a mobile command unit to help coordinate an emergency effort should it become necessary.

All that is part of the "baseline" of security that Navarrete described Thursday, which revolves around communication among various agencies and making sure there are procedures in place to respond to any level of terrorist threat or alert.

David Engelthaler, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health Services, said Thursday that the system appeared to be working. He said his office was notified early about the terrorist alert and the London bombings.

"We were as prepared as we can be," he said, adding that things have "vastly improved" in the past four years.

Engelthaler said his office has drilled on all types of hazards, from bombings to biological terrorism, and can coordinate emergency efforts with hospitals throughout the state.

Last year, Napolitano called for a 10-step plan to address homeland security, which included establishing a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week terrorism intelligence center and a radio system to link federal, state, local, tribal and private sector police and emergency units.

According to the Office of Homeland Security, all but one of the governor's plans have been enacted. The state has yet to establish a statewide system to connect federal, state, local and tribal criminal justice courts and law enforcement agencies to identify terrorist activity.

Navarrete said the goal for the state is to be ready for a terrorist attack.

"Can we prevent something like this?" he said. "Obviously not."

Monica Alonzo-Dunsmoor contributed to this article.

Gov. Janet Napolitano called it a "better safe than sorry" situation.

Maybe the Gov is finally waking up a little bit.

Look at the article again......the man says "...we cannot prevent it but we can be prepared..." WRONG! Who was the Alqaeda fellow who was stopped at the Canadian border with explosives?

It can be prevented IF this government in Washington starts finding out just who is who in the immigrant community! it starts in the country of origen. Obviously employees of the Department of State had no clue as to 19 terrorists on 9-11? WHY NOT? If State does not know who is who then don't let them in period!

The rest you all know about the porous border etc.....

Shameful to hear a public servant in Arizona talking like this is it not?