7/7/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Monica Brase, [317] 327-3690 |
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City takes security precautions in response to London attacks
INDIANAPOLIS - In light of the terrorist attacks this morning in London, the City of Indianapolis is taking the precautionary steps of increasing police presence and security measures throughout the city, Mayor Bart Peterson and Public Safety Director Robert Turner said today.
The Mayor said that city public safety officials have been in contact with federal law enforcement officials, and stressed that there is absolutely no indication that Indianapolis and Marion County are in any danger. But in light of this mornings attacks, it is prudent to be alert, prepared and vigilant, he said. As such, the city has taken steps including:
Increased visible police presence. Walking patrols will be increased, and officers have been directed to examine the interiors of businesses, restaurants and other public places. In addition, administrative personnel who normally wear street clothes are reporting to duty in uniform, to further increase the visible number of uniformed officers;
Increased security at key governmental facilities and public utilities, as needed;
"Windshield surveys" of vehicles at certain locations may be ordered (schools, places of worship, etc.);
Placed specialty units (SWAT, Tactical Air Patrol, K9, explosive ordnance officers, etc.) on standby to be activated as necessary to respond to acts of aggression;
Alerted Mobile Field Force Section and directed it to assemble teams to remain in a standby mode to assist with a variety of duties (crowd control, perimeter patrol of hazardous materials incidents, etc.);
The Indianapolis International Airport is maintaining existing high-security measures and is awaiting direction from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA will advise the nation's airports as to whether changes need to be made with regard to security.
IndyGo has directly communicated with staff, especially bus operators, supervisors and dispatch staff, and encouraged operators to be alert for any unusual activities or packages, to conduct a thorough vehicle inspection before leaving the garage and to check vehicles at the end of the line for items left on the bus;
Parking around key locations may be restricted and vehicles towed; and
Intelligence and other information will be distributed to departmental personnel and shared with national, state and local public safety partners (Joint Terrorism Task Force, Marion County Sheriff, Indiana State Police, etc.) as it becomes available.
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