Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

What Effects Do Terror Warnings Have?

Aired May 26, 2002 - 22:03   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: In recent days the government has issued a number of terror alerts, all uncorroborated. They involve everything from national landmarks to transit systems and nuclear power plants. So what kind of effect are the warnings having on people this holiday?

Well, CNN's Brian Palmer took a sampling of people determined to see the sights and the city whose skyline changed forever on 9/11.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone must take their jackets, coats, sweater, blazer off before going inside.

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Security at landmarks and public spaces in New York City is tight, during a weekend that's historically been rather loose, relaxed. Visitors to the Statute of Liberty file through security checkpoints. Their faces are photographed, then run through a government database of terrorism suspects.

MUSTAFA KOITA, GLOBAL ALLIANCES: We haven't had any terrorists, thank God, walk through the area.

PALMER: It adds to the wait, but many don't seem to mind.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No complaints.

PALMER: There's an even longer wait at the U.S.S. Intrepid, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, turned into a museum and tourist attraction. And even more conspicuous, security from law enforcement, the military and private companies. Also adding to a sense of security, the heavy military presence at the pier during Fleet Week, the annual visit of naval vessels to New York City.

The extra vigilance is partly due to 9/11 and to advisories issued by federal agencies that terrorists might launch attacks, perhaps against the Statue of Liberty or Brooklyn Bridge. The FBI cautions that the threats are unsubstantiated and uncorroborated.

How do you feel about all these nationwide alerts, threat advisories, I mean, is it changing the way you do things?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, I work in the city. And every single day is a threat. It's just -- you have to accept the fact that you have to be more aware now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I do appreciate the alerts, because everybody does have to be aware of who's around them, what's around them, but we have to come out, and we have to show our children that we're not afraid.

PALMER: Not everyone agrees.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My feelings are I think as a public we are entitled to know. I think a high saturation of the issue can be damaging to those certain individuals that might be very much affected emotionally by it.

PALMER: But all say that regardless of alerts and advisories or threats, life must continue as normally as possible.

Brian Palmer, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com