August 10, 2006

State officials working to protect Michigan families

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that Michigan officials are closely monitoring all information relating to the credible terrorist threat to international aviation security that resulted in several arrests last night in the United Kingdom. 

“At my direction, state emergency management officials have communicated with security personnel at every airport in Michigan to ensure that they are aware of available state homeland security resources, including those of the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP) and the Michigan National Guard, should a need arise,” Granholm said.  “The security of Michigan residents is of utmost importance, and you can be assured we will use every tool at our disposal to assure that Michigan families are protected from those who would do us harm.”

The Department of State Police also has been in constant contact with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) since early this morning, both sharing information with the FBI and disseminating information from the FBI to local law enforcement.

“At this time, we have no intelligence information that would indicate there are any specific threats to Michigan,” said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of MSP.  “Appropriate precautions are being taken to ensure a quick and effective response to any threat, and under the leadership of Governor Granholm, the Michigan State Police stands ready to coordinate state response actions in the event of any emergency in accordance with previously established emergency plans.”

Adjutant General Thomas A. Cutler, director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said, “At this time, there does not appear to be a need to activate our state’s military resources, however, we remain in close contact with emergency management and homeland security officials at the Department of State Police.  If called upon by Governor Granholm, who serves as commander-in-chief of the Michigan National Guard, our citizen soldiers are fully prepared and ready to serve.”

In coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has raised the threat level from YELLOW (Elevated) to RED (Severe) for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States.  As a precaution, DHS has also raised the threat level from YELLOW (Elevated) to ORANGE (High) for commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States.  The overall threat level for the United States mainland, excluding commercial aviation, remains at YELLOW (Elevated).  State and federal officials report no indication of terrorist plotting within the United States in connection with the arrests in the United Kingdom and indicate that those arrests have significantly disrupted the threat.

During this time, the public is reminded to remain vigilant and to have an increased awareness of their surroundings, particularly on or around transportation systems.  Citizens are encouraged to contact their local police department if they notice any suspicious activity, including unknown packages, devices, unattended briefcases and/or persons who appear out-of-place.  The nationally-recognized Michigan State Police Bomb Squad stands ready to assist local law enforcement if needed.

Additional information regarding Michigan’s homeland security efforts can be found at the Department of State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) web site, located at www.michigan.gov/emd .