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Terror Alert Covers Calif. Bridges
U.S. Californian state Governor Gray Davis warned Thursday that terrorists may be targeting four California bridges for an attack in the next week. Law enforcement officials have "credible evidence," Davis said, that terrorists are plotting a rush-hour attack on the Golden Gate Bridge or Bay Bridge, both in San Francisco, the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the Port of Los Angeles, or the San Diego Coronado Bridge. The attacks were planned between Friday and Nov. 9, he said.
Security around the bridges has been heightened and involves personnel ranging from the U.S. Coast Guard to the California Highway Patrol.
"The best preparation is to let terrorists know, we know what you're up to, we're ready for you." Davis said.
Davis said the information came from several law enforcement agencies including the FBI.
Although hundreds of bomb threats have be called in to authorities about sites in California, this is only the second threat judged to be credible since the Sept. 11 attacks, Davis said. The first targeted Los Angeles movie studios.
"The state is taking the lead role and we are cooperating with all the police agencies involved at this time to secure and make sure the bridge is safe," said Sheila Gonzales, spokeswoman for the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest port in the nation.
Representatives of the FBI and the California Highway Patrol joined Davis at a press conference where he also named a former FBI agent as his special adviser on state security issues.
Davis announced his appointment of George Vinson, a 23-year veteran of the FBI to the newly created post.
Vinson, 57, of Gold River previously served as assistant special agent in charge of the San Francisco office where he developed the Bay Area Joint Terrorism Task Force.
The state security officer will advise Davis on the latest anti-terrorism strategies and act as a liaison to the federal Office of Homeland Security, governor's spokesman Steve Maviglio said.
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