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CNN Live Saturday

How Are Americans Handling Code Orange Threat Alert?

Aired September 14, 2002 - 18:28   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S. remains on code orange alert this weekend. CNN's Patty Davis has been talking to people about how they're dealing with the higher state of alert -- Patty.
PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, lots of people today on Washington's National Mall, flying kites, playing flag football, a huge D.C. bike ride took place. But U.S. Park Police are not taking any chances. They're out in greater numbers than ever, patrolling the grounds around the Washington Monument.

In fact, we're told double the normal number since the terror alert system. The threat alert system was increased from yellow to orange last Tuesday.

Now, how are tourists dealing with this? Beth and Chet Graceson (ph), and Chet's son Nathaniel joining us here. You're from Frederick, Maryland and West Virginia.

Did you know that the threat of terror alert had increased last week?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I didn't know.

DAVIS: Now, I'll ask you, Chet, has it made any difference in terms of what you're doing? Are you more vigilant? What, if anything, are you doing differently?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing, really. I mean, I went to work the same as usual. You know, on the 11th. And as far as our plans to come down here, really, we didn't do anything different than we have any other time.

DAVIS: Now, Beth, you're a missionary to Sudan, and you had a special take on this threat alert. How it's impacted you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it hasn't impacted me as much as it might other people because I work in a war zone. And so, where I'm serving, sometimes we had (UNINTELLIGIBLE) planes dropping bombs and so forth. So, my sense of security, or whatever, is a bit altered from most people. So, I have been very low-key about it for that reason.

DAVIS: All right. Thanks a lot for joining us.

Now, more than half of the people that we talked to today said that they are aware that the color code has changed. Many say that they are being more vigilant. One person from New York City telling us that you've got to just be fearless.

Patty Davis, CNN, live in Washington.

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