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Us may lower terror threat { April 9 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59499-2003Apr8.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59499-2003Apr8.html
U.S. May Lower Terror Threat Level Due to War Progress
Ridge Also Seeks Change In the Way Security Money Is Allocated to States
By John Mintz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 9, 2003; Page A08
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said yesterday that U.S. officials are beginning to consider lowering the national terrorist threat level from orange, or "high risk," in part because the war in Iraq has been going well.
"We certainly do have a plan to start reducing, over time, the additional security measures" put in place several days before the start of hostilities in Iraq, Ridge said at a news conference. Raising the national threat index from yellow, or "elevated" risk of a terror attack, brought more police officers onto the streets as well as tighter security at government buildings, ports, bridges and other sites.
The generally upbeat news from Iraq might also prompt the government to "reduce or finally eliminate" Operation Liberty Shield, a separate layer of security measures, such as dispatching National Guard troops to secure nuclear plants, that was initiated March 17 when the threat index was raised.
The controversial threat index has been elevated to orange three times in response to intelligence that indicated a heightened threat of a terror attack. Ridge said that he has no idea when he might lower the threat level or end the Liberty Shield program, but added that he is aware of complaints by local governments that the added security measures have cost them millions of dollars.
He said the threat of a terror attack will remain long after the war is over. "The al Qaeda network will strike when they're ready, regardless of whether we're engaged with the military in Iraq," he said.
Ridge also said yesterday that he is asking Congress to alter the formula under which it allocates billions of dollars in domestic defense money. The current formula creates a severe disadvantage for the District, New York and other large cities that U.S. intelligence agencies believe are at the most serious risk of a terror attack.
Ridge's proposal is in part a response to complaints from New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (R) and others, who say New York deserves more money because it is at the top of most lists of terror targets.
Ridge sharply criticized a block grant program for sending homeland security money to localities, called the Office of Domestic Preparedness project, that was part of the Justice Department but on March 1 was folded into Ridge's agency. In past years, that office distributed money to states on a per capita basis -- which hurt the District, a primary terror target that has a small population.
Last year, small-state members of Congress such as Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) gained approval of a different but also widely criticized formula for allocating $600 million: each state would receive 0.75 percent of the money, and the rest would be spent on a per capita basis. The 0.75-percent formula severely hurt some states with the gravest terror threats -- New York received $1.38 per person and California $1.33, while Wyoming received $9.78 per capita.
Yesterday, Ridge said he wants Congress to approve a new formula that gives greater weight to the threat to each state, as well as to the presence of critical infrastructure and national icons such as the Statue of Liberty.
"The traditional formula is inappropriate today," he said, characterizing it as one in which "everybody got a little bit and none of it would make a difference. . . . A catastrophic event is more likely in a densely populated area."
Administration officials acknowledged that small-state members probably will fight the plan, but big-city representatives welcomed it.
"We are very pleased that Secretary Ridge agrees with the mayor that New York City carries special risks which need to be taken into consideration when homeland security funds are allocated," said Ed Skyler, a spokesman for Bloomberg.
D.C. officials praised the shift. Previously, "New York and Washington by formula represented only 3 percent of the entire pot of money," said Margret Nedelkoff Kellems, the District's deputy mayor for public safety. "Clearly, New York City and Washington represent more than 3 percent of the risk."
Yesterday, Ridge also announced the allocation of a separate pot of $100 million that Congress had set aside for cities at risk of attack. New York will get $25 million of that money, the District will receive $18 million, Los Angeles $12 million, Seattle and Chicago $11 million each, San Francisco $10 million and Houston $9 million.
Staff writer Spencer Hsu contributed to this report.
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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