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Minnesotans calm after terror alert increased
December 22, 2003

Federal Security Director, Ken Kasprisin, says officials at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport have taken several steps to bolster security, including random vehicle searches and more law enforcement presence. (MPR Photo/Mark Zdechlik)

Bloomington, Minn. — (AP) - Many Minnesotans followed the advice of the leader of the Department of Homeland Security, who urged people on Monday to "just go about your business" despite an increase in the nation's terror alert warning system.

On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security elevated the national terror alert warning to "Code Orange," the second-highest level. The upgrade from "Code Yellow," or "elevated" status, followed warnings that the terrorist organization al-Qaida may be plotting attacks against the United States during the holidays.

Secretary Tom Ridge said the Bush administration wants people to "be vigilant and have a good communications plan under way."

Officials at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport say travelers will likely notice additional security measures in and around the airport now that the terror threat level has been raised nationwide.

The airport's Federal Security Director, Ken Kasprisin, says officials have taken several steps to bolster security.

"We've increased the number of law enforcement officers and others in the airport environment to enhance the security. We started random vehicle searches. We've increased the K-9 patrols associated with the airport," Kasprisin says. "We've coordinated with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, other local authorities, as well as the congressional offices to make sure we have the resources that are needed."

Kasprisin also encourages travelers to be prepared for the extra scrutiny, to avoid long delays.

"Take everything of a metallic nature, put it in your carryon bag to go through the X-ray machine. Take the computers out of your bag, take your coats off to come through ... the checkpoint," Kasprisin says.

Authorities say they know of no specific threats against Minnesota targets. Airport officials won't say how many vehicles they're stopping for random searches. Across busy Interstate 494 from the airport, thousands of people went shopping at the Mall of America, the largest enclosed mall in the country.

Dan Crothers, 18, a student at Centennial High School in Circle Pines, said he frequently shops at the mall and the crowds Monday didn't seem smaller than expected.

Was he worried about the terror alert?

"No," he said. "Actually, we were just joking about what the chances would be of getting shot or something out here. But it really doesn't affect us."

He was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping with Andrew Noren, 19, a student at the University of Minnesota's campus in Duluth.

"It does raise your alertness, but the warning always seems to be changing," Noren said. "It's been up to orange before and nothing happened."

Mall spokeswoman Monica Davis said additional police and mall security officers went on patrol after the terror warning was increased. She said that as of Monday afternoon, the crowds were as large as expected.

Matthew Denisen, of St. Paul, was one of the hundreds of people working at the mall on Monday. He said the terror alert didn't affect him much.

"You still have to work and pay the bills," he said. "A lot of it just seems surreal. Honestly, it's hard to react when you really don't know what's going on."

In response to the alert, state leaders had increased the presence of law enforcement at the airport and other security-sensitive locations on Sunday.

While there were no specific threats against Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty instructed the public safety commissioner to heighten the state's alert level.

The result is more searches at airports, more security at nuclear power plants and the presence of the Minnesota National Guard at various locations.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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