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March 19, 2003
Effects of terror alert status ripple throughout Florida
News-Journal Staff Report
DAYTONA BEACH — School field trips were canceled, short-term parking at Daytona Beach International Airport was closed, and security at local utility plants was stepped up Tuesday in preparation for war with Iraq.
The U.S. Coast Guard increased patrols of the area's coastline, and security officers resumed random inspection of vehicles arriving at the Daytona Beach airport to comply with a national security plan outlined Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security.
The plan, dubbed "Operation Liberty Shield," heightens security at the nation's borders, airports, seaports and railways, nuclear and chemical plants and among elements of the nation's food supply and distribution system.
Florida's preparations since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks puts it in a much better position to respond to war-related attacks, Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday as security was increased around the state, including banning flights over Disney theme parks in Orlando.
"You have to remain vigilant in these times," said Stephen Cooke, director of air service marketing and community affairs at the Daytona Beach's airport.
At the direction of Homeland Security, airport officials closed parking within 300 feet of the terminal and started checking vehicles Monday evening when the terror alert was raised to orange, Cooke said.
Local law enforcement agencies have also stepped up patrols and increased security at water and utility plants, government offices, courthouses and small airports in Volusia and Flagler counties.
Daytona Beach police officers continued nightly patrols at the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach, as they have since Sept. 11, 2001. President Mustafa Isa said no additional security measures were planned, despite a national alert from an Islamic civil rights group warning of a possible backlash against Muslims.
"If someone wants to do something, you can't stop them," Isa said. "But we feel secure. We leave it to God."
Volusia public school officials canceled all out-of-county field trips through April 4 because of the threat of war and the possibility of terrorist attacks.
Even before the announcement Tuesday afternoon, Spruce Creek High School Principal Tim Egnor had canceled today's trip to New York City for eight students in his school's Finance Academy.
"I wouldn't want to feel responsible for sending kids into harm's way at the exact moment (war) was supposed to happen," Egnor said.
At least five Volusia middle schools also have canceled early- to mid-April trips to Washington, D.C.
In general, travel is experiencing a downturn because of the impending war, though airlines have indicated they will not penalize those who cancel because of war, local travel agents said.
"Cruise lines have indicated they are cutting back in Europe, and people who have planned trips to Greece and Turkey have canceled," said Jeff Sussman, owner of Granada Travel Agency in Ormond Beach. "People who were talking about their summer trips have told us they are going to wait."
Staff and wire report