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American Morning

Terror Alert

Aired September 10, 2002 - 08:31   ET

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

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: As you would expect, the FBI is warning local law enforcement agencies to be on the alert against terrorist attacks. That is based on a large volume of threats the agency recently relating to 9/11. Here in New York, authorities were already taking measures to tighten security. Among the places getting some special attention, the United Nations, where world leaders are beginning to gather for the U.N. General Assembly session, and that is where we find Jason Carroll this morning, to bring us up to date on what people in the neighborhood could expect.
Good morning, Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Paula.

As you say, the United Nations will be receiving appropriate attention, as will the city's historical landmarks, the religious institutions in the city, as well as any of the places where the 09-11 ceremonies will be held.

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to speak with the city's police commissioner, Ray Kelly, and he gave me a very brief outline of the city's security plan. The United Nations is a big part of that plan, for obvious reason. The president will be out here speaking on Thursday. The city will also be out here focusing be the bridges and tunnels throughout the five burroughs. They'll be having unannounced, random security checks at the various bridges and tunnels. Again, this according to Ray Kelly.

Kelly say the city is definitely more prepared now than ever.

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CAPT. RAYMOND KELLY, NYPD: We've done a lot of training. We'll be doing more training. We've got a lot of training. We've got equipment. We're working more closely with federal authorities, with other state and local agencies to prepare for another event, if God forbid, it does happen.

Kelly also points out that city safely hosted several large-scale events within the past week, namely the NFL concert in Time's Square. We also had the U.S. Open here in New York, as well as that special session of Congress.

Kelly also says that he expects tomorrow's ceremony to go off safely -- Paula. ZAHN: Jason, I know you have had an opportunity to talk with New Yorkers, some of whom will go to these very public places to mark the 09-11 anniversary. I'm just curious whether people have had any new reaction to this latest round of threats, or if it's like the previous threats, yes, this is just something we have to live with.

CARROLL: Well, as you know, Paula, we've heard about these threats before, and New Yorkers have definitely been paying attention. You get somewhat of a mixed bag. There are some New Yorkers who say the city is doing the best that the city can. And then you have other New Yorkers who; say, look, we do expect there to be some sort of terrorist attack eventually, not sure if it's going to be tomorrow, next week, next month, next year.

I think New Yorkers are basically just trying to do the best they can in terms of moving on with their lives.

Jason Carroll, thanks so much.

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