Threat on NFL Stadiums
Government Doubts Threat on NFL Stadiums
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A Web site is claiming that seven NFL football stadiums will
be hit with radiological dirty bombs this weekend, but the government on
Wednesday expressed doubts about the threat.
The warning, posted Oct. 12, was part of an ongoing Internet conversation
titled"New Attack on America Be Afraid."It mentioned NFL stadiums in New
York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, where games
are scheduled for this weekend.
The Homeland Security Department alerted authorities and stadium owners in
those cities, as well as the NFL, of the Web message but said the threat was
being viewed"with strong skepticism."Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke
said there was no intelligence that indicated such an attack was imminent,
and that the alert was"out of an abundance of caution."
"The department strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their
plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such
as football games,"Knocke said.
The FBI also expressed doubt about the threat.
The nation's alert level remains at yellow, signaling an elevated risk of an
attack. The threat level for airline flights is at orange, a higher level,
where it has been since a foiled plot to bomb U.S.-bound commercial jets was
revealed on Aug. 10.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A Web site is claiming that seven NFL football stadiums will
be hit with radiological dirty bombs this weekend, but the government on
Wednesday expressed doubts about the threat.
The warning, posted Oct. 12, was part of an ongoing Internet conversation
titled"New Attack on America Be Afraid."It mentioned NFL stadiums in New
York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland, where games
are scheduled for this weekend.
The Homeland Security Department alerted authorities and stadium owners in
those cities, as well as the NFL, of the Web message but said the threat was
being viewed"with strong skepticism."Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke
said there was no intelligence that indicated such an attack was imminent,
and that the alert was"out of an abundance of caution."
"The department strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their
plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such
as football games,"Knocke said.
The FBI also expressed doubt about the threat.
The nation's alert level remains at yellow, signaling an elevated risk of an
attack. The threat level for airline flights is at orange, a higher level,
where it has been since a foiled plot to bomb U.S.-bound commercial jets was
revealed on Aug. 10.
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