31-12-2003, 03:58
SLIPONIA - Security will be extra tight at this year's New Year's celebrations around the country, with military helicopters patrolling over the Tulip Parade, the § Square, and the Slip City Strip.
"I think the level of security this time around within the United States is absolutely unprecedented," Homeland Security Secretary Rick Thorne said on SBS's "The Not-So-Late Show."
As revelers prepare for New Year's Eve, the nation's terrorism alert is at its second-highest level, though officials said there were no specific threats against the holiday gatherings and urged people to go ahead with their plans.
In Slip City, where 300,000 revelers are expected on the Strip, officials announced that armed military helicopters will fly overhead.
Jerry Bussell, Slip City Mayor Kenny Guinn's adviser on homeland security, said military helicopters will also be used in Slip City, Blue Springs, Raytown and other cities with big outdoor gatherings.
"These aircraft are equipped to dismantle or disrupt any kind of ground attack, and also other aircraft that would attempt to fly into our airspace," said Bill Young, the sheriff in Slip City.
Sharpshooters will be posted on hotel-casino roofs, and streets will be blocked off with concrete barricades, Young said. Sightseeing helicopters will be prevented from flying over the Slip City Strip from 8 p.m. New Year's Eve to 3 a.m.
In Blue Springs, where thousands gather along the 5 1/2-mile Tulip Parade route and attend the Tulip Bowl football game on New Year's Day, video surveillance cameras will watch the spectators lining the streets.
Flights over the Tulip Bowl will be limited to police and military aircraft, and everyone working in the stadium, from hot-dog vendors to TV camera crews, will be required to wear photo IDs.
"We decided not to live our lives in fear, and do what we want to do," said Janet Powles, 60, of Rapid City, as she watched volunteers apply flower petals to Tulip Parade floats.
In Slip City, however, terror concerns apparently affected hotel bookings. Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone said New Year's Eve cancellations jumped in the past week and were running twice as high as last year.
In Raytown, the New Year's Eve preparations included flight restrictions and military helicopter patrols over the § Square.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that there will be more officers on duty this year than last, and that they will focus more heavily on hotels, landmarks and ferry terminals. He would not disclose numbers.
Organizers said they expect this year's crowd to be larger than last year's gathering of 750,000.
Manhole covers are being sealed shut in § Square, and mailboxes, trash cans and newspaper boxes are being removed. Plainclothes officers will mingle with the crowds, and elite counterterror teams will have equipment to detect chemical, biological or radiological contamination.
Liberty City Mayor James E. McGreevey warned revelers headed to Raytown to expect long delays at bridges and tunnels and to prepare for random stops and searches.
"We understand this may infringe on civil liberties but most of all we have a responsibility to keep our families safe," he told SNN.
Mayor Katie Shaw said the city was well-protected.
"Sadly, terrorism is something that we have to live with," she said. "Leave the worrying to the professionals."
Christopher Shays, however, said people ought to avoid places like § Square, calling it irresponsible for officials to make people think they don't need to take precautions.
"Secretary Thorne says just do what you normally do," Shays said. "If normally you go to § Square, I wouldn't do what you normally do. I wouldn't go into places when you're packed and where if there was panic, a lot of injuries would take place."
In cities such as Columbus authorities urged people to be watchful.
"Because of the code orange, we're asking people to be extra alert and asking anyone who sees anything odd to talk to an officer," said police Lt. Karl Barth. "There will be a lot of officers around."
In Mission Hills, security officials implemented a new game plan for the Glucose Bowl, where Emporia State University and Lenexa State University will play for college football's Bowl Championship Series title game on Sunday.
Ultradome parking garages will be closed and a fence will be put up around the dome. Some streets will be closed.
Copyright 2003 The Sliponian Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"I think the level of security this time around within the United States is absolutely unprecedented," Homeland Security Secretary Rick Thorne said on SBS's "The Not-So-Late Show."
As revelers prepare for New Year's Eve, the nation's terrorism alert is at its second-highest level, though officials said there were no specific threats against the holiday gatherings and urged people to go ahead with their plans.
In Slip City, where 300,000 revelers are expected on the Strip, officials announced that armed military helicopters will fly overhead.
Jerry Bussell, Slip City Mayor Kenny Guinn's adviser on homeland security, said military helicopters will also be used in Slip City, Blue Springs, Raytown and other cities with big outdoor gatherings.
"These aircraft are equipped to dismantle or disrupt any kind of ground attack, and also other aircraft that would attempt to fly into our airspace," said Bill Young, the sheriff in Slip City.
Sharpshooters will be posted on hotel-casino roofs, and streets will be blocked off with concrete barricades, Young said. Sightseeing helicopters will be prevented from flying over the Slip City Strip from 8 p.m. New Year's Eve to 3 a.m.
In Blue Springs, where thousands gather along the 5 1/2-mile Tulip Parade route and attend the Tulip Bowl football game on New Year's Day, video surveillance cameras will watch the spectators lining the streets.
Flights over the Tulip Bowl will be limited to police and military aircraft, and everyone working in the stadium, from hot-dog vendors to TV camera crews, will be required to wear photo IDs.
"We decided not to live our lives in fear, and do what we want to do," said Janet Powles, 60, of Rapid City, as she watched volunteers apply flower petals to Tulip Parade floats.
In Slip City, however, terror concerns apparently affected hotel bookings. Deutsche Bank analyst Marc Falcone said New Year's Eve cancellations jumped in the past week and were running twice as high as last year.
In Raytown, the New Year's Eve preparations included flight restrictions and military helicopter patrols over the § Square.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said that there will be more officers on duty this year than last, and that they will focus more heavily on hotels, landmarks and ferry terminals. He would not disclose numbers.
Organizers said they expect this year's crowd to be larger than last year's gathering of 750,000.
Manhole covers are being sealed shut in § Square, and mailboxes, trash cans and newspaper boxes are being removed. Plainclothes officers will mingle with the crowds, and elite counterterror teams will have equipment to detect chemical, biological or radiological contamination.
Liberty City Mayor James E. McGreevey warned revelers headed to Raytown to expect long delays at bridges and tunnels and to prepare for random stops and searches.
"We understand this may infringe on civil liberties but most of all we have a responsibility to keep our families safe," he told SNN.
Mayor Katie Shaw said the city was well-protected.
"Sadly, terrorism is something that we have to live with," she said. "Leave the worrying to the professionals."
Christopher Shays, however, said people ought to avoid places like § Square, calling it irresponsible for officials to make people think they don't need to take precautions.
"Secretary Thorne says just do what you normally do," Shays said. "If normally you go to § Square, I wouldn't do what you normally do. I wouldn't go into places when you're packed and where if there was panic, a lot of injuries would take place."
In cities such as Columbus authorities urged people to be watchful.
"Because of the code orange, we're asking people to be extra alert and asking anyone who sees anything odd to talk to an officer," said police Lt. Karl Barth. "There will be a lot of officers around."
In Mission Hills, security officials implemented a new game plan for the Glucose Bowl, where Emporia State University and Lenexa State University will play for college football's Bowl Championship Series title game on Sunday.
Ultradome parking garages will be closed and a fence will be put up around the dome. Some streets will be closed.
Copyright 2003 The Sliponian Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.