War, Terrorist Threats Prompt Security Increase Around The State

By Donna Tommelleo

Associated Press

WATERFORD –– Concrete barriers and soldiers with guns guard the entrance to the Millstone nuclear power plant complex. Inside, more military police patrol the grounds.

In all, three dozen heavily armed soldiers will keep round-the-clock watches at the waterfront complex. They were called up on Monday night as part of the state’s heightened alert response to threats of war and terrorism. National homeland security officials issued a “Code Orange” alert, meaning there is a high threat of terrorist attacks on America.

“We’re talking about an unknown enemy that may strike at an unknown time at an unknown location,’’ Governor John G. Rowland said Tuesday.

The state has added security measures including checks of commercial trucks, waterways, bridges and major infrastructure. Vehicles also will be randomly checked at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.

But nowhere was the security presence more visible to civilians than at the nuclear power station, considered a key area of concern.

“That’s not to say that other areas of the state are not important, but in my view, this is the most important facility to make sure it’s protected to the best of our ability,” Gov Rowland said.

The governor flew to Millstone on a state police helicopter Tuesday afternoon to meet with local officials. The route also took him over the decommissioned Connecticut Yankee power plant in Haddam, where extra security was also in place.

Gov Rowland met privately with local officials at Millstone, briefing them on the state’s strategy. Waterford First Selectman Paul Eccard said the heightened alert status of code orange has resulted in effective communication among all involved.

“The communication between federal, state, and local has been excellent from our perspective,” Mr Eccard said. “We take the code status very seriously, and we are employing all the resources to protect the public.”

Gov Rowland has requested a ten-mile no-fly zone around the plant and is awaiting federal approval to implement it. The restrictions were temporarily put in place for two months after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Gov Rowland said he expects federal approval within the next few days.

“If someone violates that air space, they’ll be met with two F-16s from Cape Cod,” the governor said.

National guard units also will step up their air training over the state, particularly in southeastern Connecticut, which is home to Millstone and the US Naval Submarine Base. Five Blackhawk helicopters, one Huey, and a fixed-wing craft will patrol the skies.

Protective measures are also in place at the submarine base, submarine-builder Electric Boat, and Pfizer’s research facility, all in the Groton area.

The governor has also ordered increased inspections of commercial trucks at weigh stations in Greenwich and Waterford on Interstate 95 and Union and Danbury on I-84.

Bridges also will be under closer scrutiny.

The I-95 Gold Star Bridge between New London and Groton is considered a vital security area because of access to the submarine base in Groton. The I-95 Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven also will be closely watched, Gov Rowland said.

“We have done everything humanly possible to make sure our state is safe,” he said. “There may be some inconvenience to the public, but I think everyone clearly knows what is at stake. It may be difficult to guarantee that our state and every other state is totally secure. But I think we’re in pretty darn good shape.”

Throughout the state, state police dog teams, hazardous materials units, and others were placed on alert. Gov Rowland said up to 700 troopers could be deployed to any trouble spot in a short time.

“Over the past several months we’ve put together intricate plans, developed according to the status of conditions in the Middle East,” state police Sgt J. Paul Vance said Monday. “These are things the people in Connecticut are not going to see a lot.”

Coast Guard Station New London is continuing its “heightened sense of security,” which includes emphasis on port security and port vulnerability assessments, said Ensign Robert Bilbo, a public affairs officer.

Gov Rowland said the state is hoping the federal government will eventually reimburse the cost of the increased security.

“But if we don’t, so be it,” he said. “We will do whatever it takes.”

Officials also are prepared for increased activity from anti-war activists.

“I look at those as more of a public safety issue, making sure that the demonstrators and protesters have a secure environment to practice their freedom of speech,” the governor said.