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Chief: More Law Enforcement Presence Continues

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Police Chief Cathy Lanier says the increased law enforcement presence on Washington's streets will continue until the threat has decreased.

Counterterrorism officials have been chasing a tip that al-Qaida may have sent three men to the United States to detonate a car bomb, authorities have said. Lanier said in an e-mail on Monday that the Metropolitan Police Department is paying close attention to the threat.

She says the increased police presence will remain until she is comfortable that the threat has decreased. Lanier last week said her officers would be working 12-hour shifts indefinitely. The chief says she'll do everything possible to keep residents and visitors to the District of Columbia safe.

The chief said in a separate directive that scheduled days-off for Tuesday and Wednesday would be canceled.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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