Military

DATE=9/11/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=TERRORISM/WEST COAST PRECAUTIONS (L-ONLY)

NUMBER 2-280333

BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: All of the aircraft involved in the apparent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington were bound for California. Although the West Coast was spared a terrorist incident, Mike O'Sullivan reports that authorities are not taking any chances.

TEXT: Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks says he has no reason to believe there are terrorist targets in California. But his department and other safety agencies were placed on high alert early Tuesday.

/// PARKS ACT ///

The Los Angeles police department and the fire department have been working together since 5:30 this morning to assess what is going on in other parts of this country, and to take precautionary moves in this city to ensure the safety of the entire public.

/// END ACT ///

Those precautions include putting more officers on the street and extra firefighters on duty, and mobilizing anti-terrorist units. Officials in San Francisco are taking similar precautions.

In Sacramento, California Governor Gray Davis ordered security precautions throughout the state.

/// DAVIS ACT ///

We've taken measures to protect vital assets on the ground and in the air in California, including the electrical grid, the state water project, and a number of our bridges.

/// END ACT ///

Traffic was slowed at the U-S-Mexico border as border-patrol officers went on alert. And for much of Tuesday, ships were held offshore at the Los Angeles harbor as customs officials searched their cargo.

Californians are expressing shock and sympathy for the victims of the bombings and for those killed in the downed aircraft. All four of the planes were bound for California.

West Coast houses of worship have scheduled prayer vigils for the victims. Governor Davis has offered to send emergency rescue crews and the American Red Cross is collecting blood supplies for New York and Washington.

/// REST OPT ///

Red Cross official Julie Julieson says the supplies are usually sent by air. However, all U-S flights are grounded, so the organization is looking for other ways to transport the blood shipments.

/// JULIESON ACT ///

Our national headquarters are working with the U-S government and military to airlift blood to the areas where it is most needed, in other words the East Coast. I know that the American Red Cross is going to make available anywhere up to 50-thousand units of blood and blood products for the East Coast, for all those victims.

/// END ACT ///

Most tourist attractions on the West Coast were closed Tuesday because of security concerns and out of respect for the victims of the terrorist incidents.

Two entertainment industry awards shows have also been postponed. They are the Latin Grammy Awards, which had been scheduled for Tuesday, and the Emmy awards for television, which had been scheduled for Sunday evening. (Signed)

NEB/MO/RH