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You
may recall that in January
2002, a city police officer was stationed at the front door to city
hall. At that time, city hall was secured so that it could only be entered
through one entrance. In June
2002, some of these restrictions were lifted.
Learning on Friday, March 21, that a police officer would be stationed
outside City Council Chambers at sessions of Festival of the Book, we asked
Director of Communications Maurice Jones whether any changes were in the
offing for City Hall. He responded as follows (electronic mail, March
21, 2003):
Due to the elevation in the national terror alert to Orange and the
threat of terrorism in the face of the War in Iraq, the City Government
has increased security in the City ... intensifying our patrols around critical
facilities and public buildings. We have also placed a uniformed police
officer in City Hall during regular business hours and special events.
At this point there is no evidence of a direct or imminent threat
to the Charlottesville area. However the City has devised a security plan
that will be implemented if the national terror alert is raised to red.
We are also working closely with our regional partners, the County of Albemarle
and the University of Virginia, to help ensure the safety of our citizens.
We will release more information about the security plan if we go to Code
Red.
| High Condition (Orange)
A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks.
In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions,
Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures
in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop
and implement:
1. Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local
law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed
forces organizations;
2. Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering
alternative venues or even cancellation;
3. Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate
site or dispersing their workforce; and
4. Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.
Severe Condition (Red)
A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under
most circumstances, the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not
intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to
the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Condition, Federal departments
and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition
to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:
1. Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency
needs;
2. Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing
specially trained teams or resources;
3. Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and
4. Closing public and government facilities.
Homeland Security Presidential Directive-3, Office of the Press Secretary,
March 12, 2003 |
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