The sacrifice can be measured in dollars and cents — and surely it will run into the tens of millions. Sharpshooters deployed on Las Vegas Boulevard, extra patrols checking a North Dakota dam, helicopters circling Times Square. When the fifth orange-level terrorism alert took effect days before Christmas, local and state authorities put plans in action. Now, 2 1/2 weeks later, costs are mounting steadily. Some local officials, particularly in big cities, worry they will wind up shortchanged by federal officials promising reimbursement. But others say the alert doesn’t mean higher spending — just smarter deployment — and that they’ve learned a great deal about effective homeland security since Sept. 11, 2001. “Frankly, it’s maturity,” said George Foresman, Virginia’s special deputy for preparedness. “All of us — public sector, private sector — we’re getting smarter and better about how we need to respond.” Said Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: “At this point, it’s the cost of doing business.” He says the alert won’t create financial hardship for his state. Full Story
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