The Latest from National Terror Alert Response Center

Des Moines Police Report Suspicious Activity On Plane Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:35 PM PST Security officials say they found something suspicious Tuesday night while cleaning a plane at the Des Moines Airport. Maintenance staff found a 9-volt battery in one of the seats on the plane, ASA Delta Connection flight 5318. The bottom of the battery had been taken off and one of the cells was pulled up, police said. The battery was tagged as evidence, placed in a bag and stored in a locker as investigators try to figure it out. Police were called to take a report about 10:30 p.m. Source This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

First Responder Gear Sold At Auction Despite Terrorism Concern Posted: 04 Mar 2009 10:48 PM PST NOTE: Legislation in regards to the sale of Police, Fire, Emergency and First Responder Gear, should be a top priority at the local, state and national level. Laws governing the sale of these items doesn’t need to be something we look back upon and say should have been implemented. If you’re a lawmaker interested in introducing this legislation, contact us. —– Putting surplus equipment up for auction is a practice governments have done for decades. At times, the auctions can include uniforms, gear and other equipment used by police, fire and EMS departments. One such auction last week in the Nation’s Capital was brought to the attention of STATter911.com. It has us asking area officials how their surplus gear disposal policies fit in with their concerns about terrorism. In recent years, terrorism expert have pointed out the next attack on U.S. soil could come from someone posing as a first responder. DC Fire & EMS Department Assistant Chief Larry Schultz expressed similar worries as he ran the department’s efforts for the Inauguration in January. At the time Chief Schultz told Jamie Thompson of FireRescue1.com, “Look at terrorist attacks around the world and you’re seeing the increasing use of people wearing public safety uniforms and stealing ambulances and police cars to deliver explosive devices.” If that’s the case then why does the District of Columbia still sell its surplus fire gear at public auction? The website Liquidation.com shows the auction that opened on February 20 and closed on February 26 of a “huge lot of police/fire department uniforms and clothing”. The items, including fire helmets, boots and coats, were advertised as being from the Government of the District of Columbia, Personal Property Division, Surplus Property Auction. DC Fire & EMS Department spokesman Alan Etter tells 9NEWS NOW the auction of surplus material has long been done by the DC government. Etter says the department has some concerns the fire gear is being disposed of this way, but that the intent is not to aid criminal actions. Read Full Article - Source This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

Sri Lankan Cricketers: Pakistan Ignored Terror Warning Posted: 04 Mar 2009 10:39 PM PST Eight Pakistanis, mostly policemen, were killed when commando-style gunmen attacked the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and AK47 machine guns. The poor security for the visitors and the ease with which the terrorists were able to target the team, has further isolated both Pakistan as a global hub of terrorism and a venue for international cricket. President Asif Zardari was forced to apologise to his Sri Lankan counterpart yesterday for the lack of protection, while the International Cricket Council officials said it was unlikely that international cricket matches could be played in Pakistan again until the security situation has dramatically improved. The revelation that security warnings for such a sensitive match will fuel further criticism. Sri Lanka had stepped in to play Pakistan after India withdraw following last november’s attack on Mumbai by Pakistani terrorists. The Sri Lankans came under intense pressure to pull out from India amid concerns about the country’s poor security situation. A leaked report from Punjab’s Crime Investigation Department CID, passed to Pakistani papers reveals that authorities were warned almost six weeks ago, of a plot and urged the all security agencies in the state and federal governments to take special precautions to protect the visitors. The report identifies the Indian intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing RAW, as the force behind the plot – an accusation regularly traded between India and Pakistan – but specifically identified the drive between their hotel and the stadium as the scene of the attack. Pakistani newspapers quoted the report, dated January 22nd 2009, warning:”It has reliably been learnt that RAW Indian intelligence agency has assigned its agents the task to target Sri Lankan cricket team during its current visit to Lahore, especially while travelling between the hotel and stadium or at hotel during their stay. via Sri Lankan cricketers: Pakistan ‘ignored’ warnings about attack on team bus - Telegraph. This story comes to us via Homeland Security - National Terror Alert. National Terror Alert is America's trusted source for homeland security news and information. Share this post

	Email delivery powered by Google