How High Security Alert Affects California Life

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Many of America's states and localities are on "high alert" after predictions of retaliation for the attacks on Afghanistan. Chilling words from Osama bin Laden and a spokesman for his al Qaeda network, designed to win support from Arab viewers of the al Jazeera TV network, have compounded the threat. We ask a regional administrator for the Office of Emergency Services of the State of California about security measures at airports, seaports, reservoirs, and nuclear power plants, then get a strikingly different view from the president of a local nuclear-watchdog group.
  • Newsmaker: Tighter Rules on the Border - In the aftermath of September 11, America's borders were much more tightly controlled. Adele Fasano, who oversees all six California crossings for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, confirms that the heightened state of alert has increased crossing waits, decreased arrests, and improved security.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Psychological Effects of Living with Risk - Americans are being told that there will be other terrorist attacks even though no one knows where or when. Psychotherapist Gina Ross, who has advised Israel's Shimon Peres on dealing with the trauma of living with terrorism, talks about dealing with unknown dangers without succumbing to panic.

HelpGuide

Immigration and Naturalization Service

Nuclear Control Institute

Office of Emergency Services of the State of California

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton