Rep. Maloney Statement on New Terror Warning System

New York, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) joined Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, and Congressman Peter King, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, at a press conference at Grand Central Terminal to announce the new National Terrorism Advisory System, which will replace the previous color-coded terrorism warning system.

“The new warning system is intended to give Americans the information they need to know, when they need to know it – replacing the color-coded system, which the public had tuned out,” Maloney said. “New York is terrorist target number one, and many New Yorkers felt as though we were perpetually under red alert. This new system will get specific information to the public about credible threats, rather than on the general threat level we’re facing. I was proud to work to reorganize America’s intelligence system after 9/11, and this new warning system will bring information gathered by our intelligence community directly to the public so people can protect themselves and their families.”

Under the new system, there will be two kinds of terror alerts: “elevated,” which warns of a credible threat against America, and “imminent,” which indicates a credible, impending threat against a specific target. These alerts will be issued to the media, elected officials, and directly to the public, and will summarize the potential threat, give information about actions being taken to ensure public safety, and recommend steps that individuals, cities, and businesses can take to protect themselves. In addition, alerts will now have expiration dates, unless new information comes along that warrants them being extended.

More information about the new warning system can be found on the Department’s web site, at: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/ntas.shtm.