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CNN Live At Daybreak

America Strikes Back: Security Increases Around Country in Response to Attacks on Afghanistan

Aired October 08, 2001 - 07:26   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, as this goes on, there is a heightened security across the country and a new more urgent sense of awareness at airports across the country on the heels of Sunday's military strikes.

CNN's Hillary Lane join us now from Newark's airport -- good morning, Hillary.

HILLARY LANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

And while planes are taking off here as normal, the picture inside is very different. In addition to the usual police forces that patrol here, we're also seeing agents from the Border Patrol, the Customs agency and the National Guard. The National Guard troops officially beginning their work here on Friday and their presence is being increased as we speak.

It is not just at the airports and the major transportation hubs in the country that you're seeing this sort of increase in security. It is happening all around. In New York City, they call it a code omega, the absolute highest level of alert. That is what the FBI has asked from law enforcement agencies all over the country.

So you are seeing it at places like Disney World, where they are doing everything they possibly can to beef up security. At NFL games yesterday not only were there guards on the ground, but in some cases there were military patrols in the air. The U.S. Coast Guard at its highest level of alert since WWII, working at the highest level of security for all of the 300 ports around the country.

It is a very different picture for travelers, for people in big cities trying to enter large buildings. But what police are saying is please be patient, please be supportive and please try to get used to it -- Paula.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Hillary. Appreciate that update.

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