Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat - Thread Seven

The Washington Times ^ | 4-26-04 | Bill Gertz

[JustPiper]

"I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat"

Two Chinese diplomats, away from their Los Angeles consulate improperly, recently sped their vehicle past a Los Alamos National Laboratory guard post near classified facilities in what U.S. officials think was an intelligence mission, The Washington Times has learned.

[Cindy]

Burkbank Karl,

Are you watching the FOX11LA News tonight?
If so, what do you hear on the scanners (if anything)
regarding threats.

[Yaelle]

Are you watching the FOX11LA News tonight?

I just saw that! Big unconfirmed threats to the three shopping areas around Westwood tomorrow!!! What is up with that and what chatter did they hear??? Anyone know more??

[Cindy]

I've heard nothing specifically and I stress that word specifically tonight. Generally speaking, jihadi sites have mentioned LA off and on over the years.

[Yaelle]

Well, on Fox 11 at 10:00, they had a breaking news story with a guy standing outside the Federal Building saying that there was a warning that a terrorist attack might come tomorrow at one of the three shopping areas close to Westwood, which would be the Century City mall, that other mall on Pico, and Westwood Village itself.

They showed all three sites, and told people to either avoid them or to watch for suspicious things, people, etc. (Those dressed heavily, carrying backpacks, etc. Though since it's near UCLA how can you avoid people with backpacks?) They mentioned that there would be plenty of extra private and police security around those areas. They repeated that the warning or info was unconfirmed but that they were taking it seriously.

I thought maybe there would be something somewhere online about this, but I have seen nothing.

[Yaelle]

Also remember that Westwood is probably second only to Teheran with the most highly concentrated population of Iranians. So it would be a great spot for a Middle Easterner NOT to stand out.

[Cindy]

Yes, that is what I heard, too.
I'm surfing Calif. sites and haven't found any info yet.

http://www.fox11la.com
http://www.foxnews.com

http://dailynews.com
http://ocregister.com
http://sacbee.com
http://signonsandiego.com
http://kusa.com
http://www.wtop.com (Check national news here.)

[Yaelle]

Cool links. I haven't found anything either. Yet Fox 11 already had aerial shots of the shopping places and their guy stationed outside the Fed Bldg. Hmmmmm.

[WestCoastGal]

LA news did report tonight that an uncorroborated threat was phoned in to someone at the Federal Bldg in Westwood that a mall in that area would be targeted tomorrow. JTTF is investigating.

As Yaelle mentioned already there are several malls in that area including Century City probably the biggest. Of course this area is close to UCLA. That's all they have said so far.

[WestCoastGal]

Who is the "baker" at this point? Zawahiri, Zarqawi, or someone we haven't heard of yet?

[WestCoastGal]

URGENT


LAPD Receives Threat Against West LA Mall
Police Take Precautions After Unsubstantiated Threat


LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Police Department issued a threat advisory after federal officials received an unsubstantiated potential threat of an attack against an unspecified West Los Angeles shopping mall Thursday.



Additional patrols will be put on the streets and shopping mall operators are being asked to enhance the level of security, according to a department statement.

Police did not grant interviews or comment on the matter Wednesday night, said Media Relations Officer Eduardo Funes.

Mayor Jim Hahn "is urging all Los Angeles residents to go on with their daily lives while remaining vigilant and alert," said Shannon Murphy of Hahn's office. "If the public sees anything suspicious, they should call 1-877-A-THREAT."

Federal officials received the threat indicating an attack would take place at a shopping mall near the Westwood Federal Building. No specific mall was named. The credibility of the source is unknown, and the information has not been corroborated.

The advisory asks the public and mall security forces to look for:

Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle or activity at the same location;
Individuals or activities that don't "fit" into the surrounding environment;
Individuals sitting in a parked vehicle for an extended period of time;
Individuals or several people sketching or taking notes, photographing or videotaping areas or buildings not normally associated with tourist activity;
Clothing out of place for the weather, such as someone wearing a heavy coat in hot weather;
Individuals or people carrying unusually heavy bags or backpacks;
Vehicles -- especially vans, U-Hauls or delivery trucks -- improperly parked or parked in locations not normally associated with deliveries;
Follow your instinct. If something doesn't look right, it might not be.

[Cindy]

http://travel.state.gov/israel_warning.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
?This information is current as of today, Wed Apr 28 2004 22:46:28 GMT-0700.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

April 28, 2004

This Travel Warning is being updated in light of the killings of HAMAS leaders in Gaza. In the aftermath of the killings of two HAMAS leaders by Israel in less than a month, statements have been made by some HAMAS elements and other terrorist groups threatening revenge against U.S. interests, which could include kidnappings. The Department of State continues to urge all U.S. citizens to depart Gaza immediately, and to warn U.S. citizens to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to current safety and security concerns. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued March 23, 2004.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to depart Gaza immediately and to defer travel to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza due to current safety and security concerns. Statements have been made by HAMAS elements and other terrorist groups threatening revenge against U.S. interests following the killing of HAMAS leaders in Gaza, which could include kidnappings, although we have no information that these threats will be carried out at this time. HAMAS has also vowed revenge against Israel. O ngoing violence over the last three years has caused numerous civilian deaths and injuries, including to some American tourists, students and residents, as well as to U.S. Mission personnel. The potential for further terrorist acts remains high. The situation in Israel, Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank remains extremely volatile with continuing terrorist attacks, confrontations and clashes. The Department of State recommended all U.S. citizens depart Gaza following the lethal terrorist attack on U.S. Mission personnel in Gaza on October 15, 2003. In addition, as the Israeli Defense Force continues to conduct extensive military operations, especially in Gaza, the possibility that innocent bystanders might become victims remains high.

American citizens who remain in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza despite this and earlier warnings are urged to continue to review their personal security situations and to take those actions they deem appropriate to ensure their well-being. Private Americans are encouraged to follow the precautions detailed below and remain in close communication with the American Embassy in Tel Aviv and the American Consulate General in Jerusalem for more detailed information. American citizens residing in the West Bank and Jerusalem should consider relocating to a safe location.

American citizens should avoid, to the extent possible, public places such as restaurants and cafes, shopping and market areas and malls, pedestrian zones, public buses and bus stops, and other crowded venues and the areas around them. Americans should also avoid demonstrations. Roads designed for Israeli settlers, including in East Jerusalem, have been the sites of frequent shooting attacks and roadside explosives, sometimes resulting in death or injury. U.S. Embassy and Consulate employees and their families have been prohibited from using public buses throughout Israel, the Jerusalem municipality, the West Bank and Gaza.

U.S. Government personnel in Israel, Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza are under tight security controls, including prohibition of non-official travel to the West Bank and Gaza. Official travel to the West Bank and Gaza is conducted only for specific mission needs, and under the auspices of U.S. Government security personnel. Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to sections of Jerusalem and parts of Israel, depending on prevailing security conditions.

As a result of ongoing military activity in the West Bank and Gaza, sections of those areas have been declared closed military zones. The Government of Israel may deny entry at Ben Gurion Airport or at a land border to persons it believes might travel to “closed” areas in the West Bank or Gaza or to persons the Israeli authorities believe may sympathize with the Palestinian cause and are seeking to meet with Palestinian officials. Closed areas in the West Bank and Gaza have been subject to intense shelling and firing. In some instances, Americans have been wounded and their property damaged. Major cities in the West Bank are often placed under Israeli military curfew. All persons in areas under curfew should remain indoors or risk arrest or injury. Americans have been killed, seriously injured, detained, and deported as a result of encounters with Israeli Defense Forces operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Travel restrictions may be imposed with little or no warning and travelers run the risk of finding themselves stranded as a result. Due to the closures and fighting, provision of medical and humanitarian care has been severely delayed in those areas.

In addition, dual Palestinian-American citizens may encounter difficulties, or be barred from, entering and/or departing Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, especially during times of Israeli closures. Americans who hold Palestinian ID numbers should consult the Embassy or Consulate for the most recent information before attempting to cross relevant borders. These restrictions can change frequently and without any advance notice.

During times when the closures and curfews are lifted, in order to depart Israel via Ben Gurion Airport, Palestinian-Americans must apply for an Israeli transit permit. Except in humanitarian or special interest cases, Israeli authorities are unlikely to issue this permit. In this event, and notwithstanding the restrictions mentioned above, travelers must depart via land crossings and may experience lengthy delays. All travelers who enter or travel in Gaza or the West Bank should expect delays and difficulties at Israeli military checkpoints located throughout those areas, and should exercise particular care when approaching and traveling through checkpoints. Travelers should also be aware they might not be allowed passage through the checkpoints.

From time to time, the Embassy and Consulate General may temporarily suspend public services to review their security posture. Due to current limitations on official travel by U.S. Government employees to the West Bank and Gaza made necessary by the unrest and uncertain conditions, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens in need in these areas is considerably reduced at present. U.S. citizens who require emergency services may telephone the Consulate General in Jerusalem at (972) (2) 622-7230 or the Embassy in Tel Aviv at (972) (3) 519-7355.

Current information on travel and security in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or, from overseas,

1-317-472-2328. U.S. citizens should consult the Consular Information Sheet for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, and the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov. U p-to-date information on security conditions can also be accessed at www.usembassy-israel.org.il or www.jerusalem.usconsulate.gov.

Return to Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings Page

[Myrddin]

The malls are filled with gangbangers. How would you discern between a dangerous gangbanger and a seriously dangerous terrorist? Attacking a mall might be net improvement to the community.

[Yaelle]

Frankly? You see ALL of these suspicious things around daily! I have seen most of them in the last day or two. It seems that every time I go shopping, there are people sitting in their cars. And just today I saw a delivery truck parked on a regular street. And the weather is so weird, you never know what people might be wearing (though yesterday anything over a bikini was overdressed!).

I hope this is just a false alarm. Most terrorist attacks have come without any warning at all.

[Cindy]

URL WCG?

ALSO, LET ME REMIND ANYONE THAT SEES ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS TO REPORT IT BY CALLING 9-1-1 AND THERE IS ANOTHER PHONE NUMBER TO THAT YOU CALL. WE'LL POST THAT TOO.

===

To: Cindy; Yaelle

URGENT


LAPD Receives Threat Against West LA Mall
Police Take Precautions After Unsubstantiated Threat


LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Police Department issued a threat advisory after federal officials received an unsubstantiated potential threat of an attack against an unspecified West Los Angeles shopping mall Thursday.



Additional patrols will be put on the streets and shopping mall operators are being asked to enhance the level of security, according to a department statement.

Police did not grant interviews or comment on the matter Wednesday night, said Media Relations Officer Eduardo Funes.

Mayor Jim Hahn "is urging all Los Angeles residents to go on with their daily lives while remaining vigilant and alert," said Shannon Murphy of Hahn's office. "If the public sees anything suspicious, they should call 1-877-A-THREAT."

Federal officials received the threat indicating an attack would take place at a shopping mall near the Westwood Federal Building. No specific mall was named. The credibility of the source is unknown, and the information has not been corroborated.

The advisory asks the public and mall security forces to look for:

Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle or activity at the same location;
Individuals or activities that don't "fit" into the surrounding environment;
Individuals sitting in a parked vehicle for an extended period of time;
Individuals or several people sketching or taking notes, photographing or videotaping areas or buildings not normally associated with tourist activity;
Clothing out of place for the weather, such as someone wearing a heavy coat in hot weather;
Individuals or people carrying unusually heavy bags or backpacks;
Vehicles -- especially vans, U-Hauls or delivery trucks -- improperly parked or parked in locations not normally associated with deliveries;
Follow your instinct. If something doesn't look right, it might not be.

770 posted on 04/28/2004 10:45:49 PM PDT by WestCoastGal ("Hire paranoids, they may have a high false alarm rate, but they discover all the plots" Rumsfeld)

[Cindy]

I heard Gov. Schwartenegger is going to Israel? Maybe he needs to read these travel warnings.

[WestCoastGal]

The Governator is going there.


'Terminator' Heads To Israel

First Foreign Trip As Governor

Apr 28, 2004 5:12 pm US/Pacific
LOS ANGELES (AP) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the son of a Nazi, visits Israel this weekend on his first foreign trip since taking office, and will attend the groundbreaking for a museum dedicated to tolerance


http://kcal9.com/topstories/topstories_story_119201337.html

[Cindy]

Well hopefully, he gets the same info or better regarding travel warnings.

[WestCoastGal]

Nothing much more on the 11pm news on any of the LA channels. KNBC Chuck Henry did say he spoke to two motorcycle officers who said they knew nothing of this until about 6pm this evening when they all were told to step up patrols of that area. Police said they are taking aggressive action even though this is an uncorroborated threat.

I too thought that it was odd that they were advertising their intentions. That is usually some disgruntled employee or high school hoodlum that does this. But these days who knows, maybe they are trying to get the police to converge on that area leaving something else wide open.

Gangbangers and mexicans with 6-9 children all screaming and speaking spanish that's what you see in the mall. I don't go there anymore for two reasons one of which is our subject tonight.

I will leave the computer on and report anything if something new comes up.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1126452/posts

LAPD Receives Threat Against West LA Mall
nbc4.tv ^ | April 28, 2004 | nbc4.tv


Posted on 04/28/2004 11:13:55 PM PDT by KQQL


Police Take Precautions After Unsubstantiated Threat

[Yaelle]

Those three are fairly upscale shopping areas without the gang influence you might find elsewhere. It's also not a weekend.

They had to weigh disrupting business for many, many places against warning the public of a potential attack, and they decided to warn us. Hmmmmm.