LANSING - Secretary Tom Ridge, Director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has asked states to increase their vigilance and awareness in response to unspecified threats to the United States from al Qaeda. Even though security will be heightened, the National Threat Advisory System will remain at Yellow (Elevated).

While there is not credible, tactical or specific information with respect to targets or method of attack, it is believed that al Qaeda may attempt a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt the presidential election some time between now and November.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) has no information that would indicate there are any specific threats to Michigan or to suggest that Michigan is any more at risk than any other state. All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure a quick and effective response to any threat to Michigan’s citizens.

In response to Secretary Ridge’s request, the MSP has taken the following action:

• All state-agency emergency management coordinators have been notified, as well as all local emergency management programs statewide.
• All local law enforcement agencies have been notified and have been requested to heighten security at critical infrastructures as part of their normal patrol duties.
• MSP posts statewide have been instructed to do the same.
• Private sector companies who have security systems are being urged to review those systems and their security staffing to maintain an increased level of alert.
• The MSP will be reaching out to local law enforcement agencies to develop security plans for election-related activities.

The MSP is working with local agencies to increase terrorism prevention capabilities across our state. Utilizing federal homeland security grant funding, communities are being provided with enhanced capabilities for information sharing to preempt terrorist attacks, target hardening to reduce the vulnerability of selected high value targets, threat recognition to recognize the potential or development of a threat, intervention activities to interdict terrorists before they can execute a threat and the technology for interoperable communications.

"The Michigan State Police stands ready to protect the security of our state," said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director of the Michigan State Police and Michigan’s Homeland Security Director. "We will continue to maintain open lines of communication with our federal and local law enforcement partners to ensure the timely exchange of intelligence information."

It is recommended that Michigan residents continue with plans for work or leisure. However, increased vigilance at large public events or other locations where crowds gather can help law enforcement disrupt terrorists’ plans. Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity they observe to law enforcement immediately.

Should specific threat information become available, that information will be immediately communicated from the federal government to our state. The state’s response actions will then be coordinated as outlined in the state’s emergency management plan. This all-hazards plan includes procedures for the management of terrorist incidents.

Additional information regarding Michigan’s homeland security efforts can be found at the Emergency Management Division’s web site, located at: www.michigan.gov/emd.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.