Security Boosted Worldwide Amid Brussels Attacks

BRUSSELS (WJZ) -- The attacks in Brussels had immediate ripple effects on transportation here in Maryland.

Ava-joye Burnett has more on the immediate changes commuters will see in an attempt to keep them safe.

For one, extra security is all over the place---not only at airports but also at transit centers.

The chaos in Belgium is now front and center for Maryland travelers.

For more on the attacks today, click here.

"We were scared at first. I mean, you're worried about any time you fly but especially with everything going on overseas," said traveler Fred Alimont.

"And it's so bad that people are so evil," said one woman.

At Penn Station, there are more police. The Maryland Transit Administration is operating under a higher alert and there are similar concerns across the country. Tuesday afternoon, Denver International Airport evacuated a terminal for a suspicious package.

"There was nothing of concern in those packages but we have to take it seriously when the dogs say there's something there," said Sonny Jackson, Denver Police Department.

The TSA has also deployed additional security agents at train stations and airports across the country, so-called "soft targets."

"Terrorism is happening a lot in relatively few places," said Gary Lafree, a University of Maryland researcher working for Homeland Security.

Homeland Security officials say there are no specific threats against the US right now. Lafree says there are other places around the world that are more vulnerable.

"The interesting thing about terrorism is it doesn't stay in the same place forever. Eventually we figure out this level of destruction is not sustainable," he said.

While the US doesn't have any specific information on a possible attack here, right now there is concern about lone wolf attacks. This is why security has been stepped up at transportation hubs across the country.