Houston elevates security

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Just a heads up for wxman57, OtherHD, vbhoutex and any others I missed.

Dec. 23, 2003, 10:57AM


Houston elevates security
Potential targets gird for holidays
By SALATHEIA BRYANT and RAD SALLEE
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle


As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security elevated its terror-alert level to high risk for the holidays, Houston's airports, port, refineries and other potential targets again bolstered their security.

The heightened alert reflects several increased risk factors -- the holiday travel season, the large crowds gathered at football games and New Year's Eve celebrations -- as well as intelligence data that suggest al-Qaida might try to carry out new attacks.

"There are a number of credible sources that suggest the possibility of attacks around the holiday season and beyond," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

For that reason, the Bush administration called for Americans to be especially vigilant but also to proceed with their business and holiday travel plans as normally as possible.

"American citizens need to go about their lives, but as they do so, they need to know that governments at all levels are working as hard as we possibly can to protect the American citizens," President Bush said.

Cargo planes and flights originating overseas were of special concern, The Associated Press reported, but local officials said travelers should plan for delays when flying out of Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports.

"A lot of people think you can rush in, but those days are over," said Houston Airport System spokesman Ernie DeSoto. "It doesn't take too long, but they should come in plenty of time. Don't be late."

Besides random vehicle checks, there will be zero-tolerance enforcement of the ban on curbside parking, more sweeps of the terminals and parking areas by officers with police dogs, and more police and security personnel.

Companies that make deliveries and do other business at the airport also will find tighter security, DeSoto said.

Even before the alert, the airport had begun to add to its security staffing. On Thursday, 49 airport security officers graduated from the first training class developed by the airport.

The Port of Houston Authority canceled its popular free public tours of the Houston Ship Channel, and the Coast Guard is increasing its inspections of arriving ships.

At Toyota Center, like at other facilities where National Basketball Association teams play, tightened regulations will be in place, starting with today's Rockets game against the Indiana Pacers. Everyone entering the arena will be screened with a metal detecting hand wand, all bags will be inspected, and large bags or coolers are banned.

Inspections have increased at all 301 entry points along the nation's borders, and holiday leaves for Customs and Border Patrol agents were canceled, said Robert Bonner, commissioner of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

"We are increasing our scrutiny of both people and vehicles coming into the United States," Bonner told the AP. A particular focus, he said, is the screening of cargo containers at seaports.

Across the country, security was strengthened for key bridges, tunnels, seaports and landmarks, such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, as well as at nuclear and chemical facilities and other installations that might be vulnerable to attack, The Associated Press reported.

Law enforcement officials have repeatedly also warned that al-Qaida might try to attack targets that have fewer security obstacles and which will be crowded this time of year, such as malls or hotels.

Houston-area industries, especially the massive refineries and petrochemical plants along the Ship Channel, are also taking extra precautions. The 125 industries that belong to the East Harris County Manufacturers Association received advisories about the alert Sunday from the organization, said Shell Oil spokesman Dave McKinney.

Unannounced visits to five randomly selected plants prompted polite challenges Monday from security guards -- most of whom did not carry visible weapons -- but there was little sign of the sort of beefed-up security that might deter a determined terrorist.

But McKinney said there is more going on at the company's Deer Park refinery and other plants in the area than meets the eye. Shell has armed deputies behind the scenes, plus vastly improved communication with law enforcement.

"There's nothing visibly different today," McKinney said, "but what you see -- and what you don't see -- have been in place since 9/11. For example, just about anywhere on our property, you're on camera."

If an intruder did break through, he said, "the people in the guardhouse would know about it, and cops would be there really quickly."

Among the facilities visited -- the others were Exxon's Baytown refinery, the Lyondell-Citgo refinery near Pasadena and two chemical plants on Texas 225, Goodyear and Texas Petrochemicals -- Shell was the only one whose entrance looked crashproof.

At Texas Petrochemicals, where the guardhouse is much closer to the plant than at Shell or Exxon, guard Randall Louviere was posted in a pickup truck about halfway down the drive. He phoned ahead to the real checkpoint, where Sgt. Ellen Vines phoned plant manager John Yoars.

"We went on an increased alert status last night," Yoars said. Although the guards a visitor sees are unarmed, he said, "If somebody tried to come through, by the time they got to this point, they would be stopped."