Access Control
& Security Systems

When the Bush Administration raised the national terror alert status from yellow ("elevated risk") to orange ("high risk"), the Department of Homeland Security and hundreds of state and local law enforcement agencies sprung into action.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) arm of the department immediately began a public parking ban within 300 feet of any airport terminal building. Many cities opened their emergency operations centers and increased security at subways, train stations and popular tourist attractions.

Attorney General John Ashcroft, however, identified "lightly secured targets" as the most vulnerable, especially hotels, shopping centers and apartment complexes.

The increased measures are particularly visible in New York, which Ashcroft indicated was a potential target area for terrorists. Ashcroft also pointed to so-called "soft targets," which are potential targets that are a symbol of American power or prosperity, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Golden Gate Bridge.

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