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Farewell, Color-Coded Terror Alert System
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 27, 2011
Modified Jan 27, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 27, 2011
Modified Jan 27, 2011
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As expected, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today that the color-coded terror alert system is getting a makeover. That's because the system, which was implemented at September 11, 2001, has been "much-mocked" and, honestly, kind of useless, especially for NYC which has been at the "high" level the whole time. Napolitano said, "This means that the days are numbered for the automated recordings at airports, and announcements about a color code level that were, too often, accompanied, by little practical information."
A new system will be rolled out in April; Napolitano explained, "When we have information about a specific, credible threat, we will issue a formal alert providing as much information as we can... The alerts will be specific to the threat. They may recommend certain actions or suggest looking for specific suspicious behavior. And they will have a specified end date." According to CNN, the alert will "include a summary of the threat, steps authorities are taking to guard the public and what the public can do."
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terror alert system
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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