Maryland On High Alert On 9/11 Anniversary
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Law enforcement agencies across the East Coast are on high alert, including all of Maryland.
Mary Bubala reports.
With the proximity of Washington, D.C. and the fact that 10 years ago some of the 9/11 terrorists traveled through the Baltimore Washington International Airport and stayed at a hotel in Laurel, our state is on high alert.
On the day the state's top brass and government leaders meet to go over changes since 9/11, news of the credible terror plot dominates the discussion.
"We all need to be vigilant and be mindful of this," Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said.
O'Malley says alerts will go to security at Baltimore hotels and the Convention Center to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and individuals, and there will be heightened security at both the Ravens and Redskins games this weekend.
"Whenever you have large groups of people gathered in any sort of place that's a potentially attractive and what terrorists would call a soft target," O'Malley said. "We've taken a number of steps since Sept. 11 that people going to football games or baseball games would never even notice-- from securing manhole covers to the amount of security to the CCD cameras."
Authorities say the credible terror threat focuses on New York City and nearby Washington, D.C., so there will be an intense focus on area bridges in Maryland.
"A lot of Washington bridges go over into Maryland, so I expect the entire homeland security apparatus to be on the highest alert," said Michael Greenberger, a University of Maryland terrorism expert. "That doesn't only mean the federal government, but that will mean the state of Maryland."
The governor says things that the state is doing to prepare for a possible terrorist threat these are things we can do as well. Mainly, keep our eyes and ears on alert.
"That's always been a concern of mine. The nation's capital is right around the corner so we could be a target," student Jeff Zeruto said.
"Be on the lookout for suspicious activities. Try to report to police if we find someone loitering and being disruptive. Things like that," said student Babatunde Bolarinwa.
"The basic thing is, if you see something, say something," Greenberger said.
Security was already heightened everywhere because of the anniversary of 9/11, but now there will be bomb sweeps and vehicle inspections in New York and Washington, D.C. Other cities like Baltimore will use different tactics of heightened security.
