With the ground war in Iraq underway and the national terror warning elevated to orange, the second highest level, local law enforcement remains on heightened alert and is urging residents to report any supsicious activity.
University Police Department Director Bob Wiatt said he has increased foot and vehicle patrols around potential targets on campus, such as the George Bush Presidential Library Center. For security reasons, he declined to discuss other vulnerable locations.
“There has been no threat against the University or the community, but we are still taking all precautions. We’ll be out there and visible, and that’s all we can do,” Wiatt said. “Until you get a specific rumor, you just have to go about your business and be alert.”
Police are also counting on residents to report suspicious activity immediately, Wiatt said.
UPD is in contact with the FBI and will be alerted immediately of any rumors or intelligence reports that suggest the University or the Bryan-College Station community may be the target of a terrorist attack, Wiatt said.
UPD will continue patrols from its office at the University Apartments, where many international students live.
College Station Police Department spokesman Lt. Rodney Sigler said police are maintaining vigilance and keeping an eye on infrastructure that could be potential targets, such as utilities and water systems.
Should the national terror alert to be raised to red, indicating an attack could be imminent, UPD will continue its heightened patrols unless there is a threat against the University, Wiatt said. However, he said, it is likely that the Bush Library would be closed along with other federal buildings.