Homeland Security to boost security around Liberty Bell

The Department of Homeland Security says it will beef up security on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. The additional funding is part of the the department’s critical infrastructure protection program that includes national icons.

The Department of Homeland Security says it will beef up security on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. The additional funding is part of the the department’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Program that includes national icons.

Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says national icons like the Liberty Bell should be fully protected.

Listen:
[audio: 091208tmlibertybell.mp3]

Napolitano says they don’t rank the importance of National Monuments, but are putting additional resources to securing them because they are a prime target for terrorism.

Napolitano: Many times terrorists try to target things that will send a message. For example the 9/11 terrorists targeted the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and when you have things like for example the Liberty Bell that sends a message and that makes it something that could be a potential target.

Secretary Napolitano says they are spending money on surveillance for the monuments and also working with police to make sure their intelligence gathering capability is working well in order to prevent a terrorist attack before it happens.

More information:
See Homeland Security Video on Protecting America’s Treasures

See Homeland Security Plan to protect National Monuments and Icons