Sunday, August 12, 2007
Aug. 12, 2007 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
Miami officials determined Saturday that an unsubstantiated dirty-bomb threat that caused some stepped-up security measures in New York City isn't credible enough to warrant alarm or increased law enforcement activity in South Florida.
Miami, New York and Los Angeles were all mentioned as potential targets of a dirty-bomb attack in otherwise vague chatter picked up by intelligence sources, Miami Police Chief John Timoney said. He said he was told about the threat Friday morning by the FBI agent in charge of Miami, John Solomon.
The security website Debka.com also reported the threat Friday.
The New York Police Department set up some extra checkpoints in Lower Manhattan and deployed radioactive monitoring equipment Friday night, but police said in a prepared statement that the measures were 'strictly precautionary and not the result of any verified threat.'
'UNVERIFIED'
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the threat level had not been raised and called the threat 'unverified.'
'These actions are like those that the NYPD takes every day, precautions against potential but unconfirmed threats that may never materialize,' Bloomberg said.
Miami-Dade Police Director Bobby Parker said he was also informed of the threat and aware that New York police were taking extra precautions.
'That's their determination, their choice, but of course we have to be reasonable and prudent in extending resources and dollars,' Parker said. He said such threats are fairly routine and are always evaluated for credibility.
Timoney said the general level of what intelligence experts call 'chatter' -- meaning talk of attacks -- has been increased in recent days and the concern is that some of it is coming from multiple sources.
'Whether this is all hype, nobody knows. But it's unusual you will get indications from multiple sources,' Timoney said.
TOP TARGET
He said there is little local police can do with that knowledge beyond constant drills and must depend on intelligence officials to try to stop terrorism ahead of time. He said New York police respond more aggressively because they have more officers and are always on higher alert.
'New York, as you're well aware, they are target numero uno,' Timoney said.
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