By Glynn Cosker
Editor, In Homeland Security
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced Tuesday that he’s ordering the Federal Protective service to increase security near federal buildings Washington, D.C. and other larger cities nationwide. Johnson did not cite any specific places for security reasons.
“We are taking this action as a precautionary step, to safeguard U.S. government personnel and facilities,” stated Johnson. “The reasons for this action are self-evident: The continued public calls by terrorist organizations for attacks…and the acts of violence targeted at government personnel and installations in Canada and elsewhere.”
Johnson was referring to the shooting attack on Parliament Hill, Ottawa on Oct. 22 when Michael Zehaf-Bibeau shot and killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, in cold blood before running into the House of Commons with his gun raised. Zehaf-Bibeau was subsequently shot and killed by hero Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, 58.
“As we have stated in prior advisories, we urge state and local governments and their law enforcement personnel, along with critical infrastructure owners and operators, to be equally vigilant, particularly in guarding against potential small-scale attacks by a lone offender or a small group of individuals,” said Johnson in a statement. “Likewise, we continually urge the public at large to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.”
You can read the full text of Johnson’s statement here.
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