Pasadena (TX) Put On Terrorist Threat Alert

Pasadena Put On Terrorist Threat Alert Residents React To Possible Threat Posted: 10:15 a.m. CDT July 11, 2002 Updated: 1:12 p.m. CDT July 11, 2002

PASADENA, Texas -- Houston-area authorities confirmed Wednesday night that Pasadena may be the target of a terrorist plot scheduled to take place on Friday.

The terror plot was originally believed to be against Pasadena, Calif., but city officials there said that Texas is believed to be the intended target.

California authorities said that they received word of the threat a couple of days ago.

"It was hinted to us that it was directed at oil refineries," said spokeswoman Janet Pope with the Pasadena Police Department in California. "The only thing that we could think of is that there are no oil refineries in Pasadena, Calif. The next logical step was to think about Pasadena, Texas, and pass on the information."

The information was passed on to local law enforcement officials and the FBI, which have confirmed that they have been notified about the possible threat.

"We take every threat seriously, and in response to this latest threat," said Harris County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Robert Van Pelt. "We've increased our presence in the unincorporated areas of Harris County, particularly the refineries, the chemical plants and the Port of Houston."

Officials are keeping tight-lipped about the details of the terrorist plot, except to say that the intended date is Friday.

Baytown police officials confirmed that one of the suspects expected to carry out the plot could be living in the Houston area.

Law enforcement officials have already set up a command post, and have notified local refiners.

"Shell Deerpark remains on high alert," Shell Oil Co. spokeswoman Lois Guthrie said. "We are continuing to share security information with the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard, local law enforcement and our industrial neighbors. We have also alerted all of our employees."

"They warned us," refinery worker Michael Kelly said. "They said that there might be threats, (to) just be careful, take precautions, and to make sure that if you see anybody weird, report it."

Pasadena Residents React Many Pasadena residents said that the news of the terrorist threat is making them feel uneasy, and leaves them thinking about what to do next.

"Maybe I'll stay out of Pasadena," said resident Rick Marron. "You can never tell where it's going to hit or when it's going to hit."

"We're on our way out of town right now, so maybe that's a good thing," resident Natalie Young said.

Some Pasadena residents said that living near refiners has taught them to be on guard and prepared for explosions and chemical leaks.

"We were always aware that this could be a target," resident Jim Young said. "You just have to keep focused. (Terrorists) want to interrupt your lifestyle, and we're not going to do that."

No apology necessary for not seeing my post immediately. Thanks for giving me a heads-up on your post. I'll make a couple of comments, but I'll need to be careful because I work in this industry and don't want to give too much away.

First, I don't believe that it would be necessary for the terrorists to rehearse in any particular refinery. No amount of rehearsal will get them past any security that is set up at the time of the explosion. Either they'll make the first check point or they won't. If they make it, people will assume that they are rescue workers and will direct them anywhere that they say that they need to go. If security tries to stop them, they'll just shoot their way through and set off their explosives near any target of convenience.

They probably would be more effective if they had refinery experience, but they could get that experience easily back at home in the Middle East. Much of the refinery equipment looks the same all over the world. If they are told to detonate an ambulance full of explosives under the cat cracker, they don't need to practice. They just need to drive up, light the fuse, and run.

In terms of a walk-thru, they might have done their walk-thru years ago. All refineries must bring in hundreds of contractors to work turnarounds. These people do all sorts of jobs and could find themselves anywhere in the refinery. A couple of guys with previous experience in a refinery would have little trouble being hired by a contracting company. They could go about their business and learn a great deal about the refinery without doing anything unusual. They could probably walk through a few scenarios without appearing to have done anything unusual. Just to allay suspicion, they may have even changed their names to something that sounded American.

Another point of weakness may be the rail lines that go into and out of every refinery. If they had access to one of those trucks that drives on the rails, they might be able to drive into a refinery with little warning. If they conceal themselves in a specially-made car, that would be another route, but getting that car into a train going into the refinery might be difficult. They might also just walk up the rail beds, but this plan would limit what they could bring into the refinery. I know that many facilities are aware of this weakness and are taking quiet steps to secure this point of access.

If I remember correctly, Mohammed Atta drove to Maine to start his trip because he believed that security would be more relaxed at the airport there. He would pass through security there and be inside security when he arrived in Boston.

WFTR
Bill

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.