BART security remains high after threat

By Ari Burack, Bay City News Service

August 10, 2006

Bay Area Rapid Transit will remain at a level of heightened security today after the nation's threat level was raised by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for airline flights throughout the country, BART spokesman Linton Johnson reported.

According to Johnson, BART will employ extra patrols and random stops of trains, but its ongoing level of security will remain unchanged.

Bay Area airports increased security measures this morning after the nationwide alert was announced.

In response to arrests in the United Kingdom overnight related to "a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States,'' the Department of Homeland Security raised the nation's threat level to its highest -- severe, or red -- for commercial flights bound for the United States from the United Kingdom, according to a statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

The Department of Homeland Security has also raised the nation's threat level to high, or orange, for all commercial flights operating in or destined for the United States, Chertoff said.

Chertoff reported that the Transportation Security Administration, working with federal and airport authorities and commercial airlines, has expanded security requirements.

According to the Homeland Security Department, effective at 4 a.m. local time throughout the country, officials began prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels and lotions from being carried on to airplanes.

Additional security measures within airports and at screening checkpoints can be expected, Chertoff said.

Mineta San Jose International Airport has increased police presence around the airport this morning, spokeswoman Joanne Sanfilippo reported.

According to San Jose police Sgt. Nick Muyo, airline travelers can expect delays today due to increased police patrols and random vehicle searches. Muyo said people might also see police dogs and officers at checkpoints around the airport.

In addition, airline passengers will not be allowed to take any liquids onto flights and should plan ahead for this, Muyo said.

Muyo did not know how long the increased security measures would last.

Additional announcements about security measures are expected this morning from San Francisco International Airport and from Oakland International Airport.

Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff said, "We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted.''

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