Report Finds Threat Alerts in Color Code Baffle Public

[kskiska]

Poor Tom Ridge

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 — A new Congressional report has found that the government's much ridiculed color-coded terrorist alert system is so vague in detailing threats that the public "may begin to question the authenticity" of the threats and take no action when the alert level is raised.

The review by the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan branch of the Library of Congress, offered lawmakers options for replacing or overhauling the system, including a proposal that the five-color palette of alert levels be replaced with "general warnings concerning the threat of terrorist attacks."

The Aug. 6 report has not been made public, although it has been circulated to members of Congress involved in oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, which administers the color-coded alerts.

While the report does not recommend that the alert system, called the Homeland Security Advisory System, or H.S.A.S., be scrapped or suggest any other specific action, its catalog of existing criticism will probably be seized on by lawmakers who argue that the system needlessly confuses and alarms the public.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2003/08/10/national/10THRE.html