"Check-ins at curbside halted in Indianapolis"

Saturday, February 8, 2003

Check-ins at curbside halted in Indianapolis
By John Tuohy and Michael J. Rochon
The Indianapolis (IN) Star


Federal transportation authorities plan to beef up airport security,
increase random checks of vehicles and cease off-site baggage check-ins in
response to the U.S. government's heightened terror alert Friday.

In Indianapolis, that means you will see a greater police presence at
Indianapolis International Airport, said Brian Doyle, a spokesman for the
Transportation Security Administration, which will arrange the increased
patrols with local police.

Dennis Rosebrough, an airport spokesman, said the Airport Authority police
will handle airport security.

During the heightened alert, curbside check-in of luggage will not be
allowed, and police will conduct more inspections of vehicles at the airport
and in parking garages. "That could be anything from a bomb-sniffing dog to
a police officer asking you to open your trunk," Doyle said.

This is the first time since Sept. 11, 2002 -- the one-year anniversary of
the attacks on the United States -- that the terror warning has been
upgraded to orange, the second-highest alert possible.

Since 9/11, 150 members of a disaster rescue crew called Indiana Task Force
One have been ready in the event of a terrorist attack. They could be
notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

That hasn't happened, yet.

"We're not putting anybody on alert until we get an alert from FEMA," said
Task Force One program manager Gary Coons, also a Beech Grove firefighter.

While no target has been identified, local officials are warning residents
to be extra watchful near shopping malls and apartment complexes.

"If you see things that do not make sense, like people lurking around an
apartment complex or neighborhood who normally wouldn't be there, then call
police or the FBI," said Peter Beering, the Indianapolis coordinator for
terrorism preparedness.

Beering said utilities and federal buildings are always closely guarded and
will continue to be.

"But if you see a group of people mulling around a power plant, not wearing
any uniforms, that's a sign something may not be right," Beering said.

Friday afternoon outside the airport, maintenance worker Bob Whiley said he
was taking the high alert seriously.

"My eyes will be very open, . . . I tell you that much," said Whiley, 38,
while awaiting a plane trip back home to New Jersey. "And I won't be alone."

Michael Mulinaro, a 17-year-old Southport High School student, was not aware
of the change in the alert but said he agreed with the system.

"I think it's a good thing for all of us to be safe," he said. "So if they
needed to raise it so we can stay safe, then I am OK with it."

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