Threat level reduced, but agencies stay on alert

The Justice Department Thursday lowered the threat level of possible terrorist attacks against the United States from “high” to “elevated,” but “significant” security measures will remain in place at federal agencies, Attorney General John Ashcroft said. Ashcroft raised the threat level Feb. 7 on the nation’s color-coded terrorism alert system from yellow (elevated) to orange (high). The only previous time Ashcroft had raised the threat level was Sept. 10, 2002—a day before the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The level reverted to “elevated” two weeks later. Examples of security measures that will remain in place at federal agencies include random inspections of vehicles entering parking lots; identification checks of all people entering facilities; screening procedures for incoming office mail and other deliveries; and continued coordination of emergency plans with state and local agencies and the private sector. Full Story