Reply #7: Threat level system is a tool....

[namvet73]

I think the reporting of threat levels is useless to the average person.
I do not know anyone who knows how to be "vigilent." I often ask people if they know how they would modify their routine with a raised threat level. No one ever knows, especially without any specifics. What does that mean? Be suspicious of everyone that looks like a middle eastern? That's pretty tough in places like NYC where there is a large diversity.
A temporarily abandoned breefcase or knapsack is not that uncommon.

I do not see any practical reason for advertisements of security activity. They can do their jobs quietly.

I'm not denying that something can happen. I drove an enterprise rental panel van from NJ to Cincinnati, going under tunnels of the PA turnpike, parking it everywhere. No one questioned me or stopped me for an inspection.

Now, if it was reported that such and such a bridge or tunnel might be a target, they would close it down temporarily.

So, other than a "we're doing something so you need us" gimmick, I do not see what other purpose it can serve.

It's sorta like when people are being laid off around you and you feel your job is in danger, you try to look as busy as possible. If you don't have enough to do, you find something. As a person in the software development business, I would do "documentation" when things were slow.

This administration is in serious danger of loosing their jobs <smile>, so they have to their employer.. "us.. supposedly," think that we need them and not to bring in anyone new.