HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISORY SYSTEM

Homeland Security Advisory System

Homeland Security Advisory System

Introduction

In the United States, the Homeland Security Advisory System is a color-coded terrorism threat advisory scale. The different levels trigger specific actions by federal agencies and state and local governments, and they affect the level of security at some airports and other public facilities. It is often called the "terror alert level" by the U.S. media. This paper discusses if homeland security advisory system is really effective.

Discussion

The system was created by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 3 on March 11, 2002, in response to the September 11 attacks. It was meant to provide a "comprehensive and effective means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist acts to Federal, State, and local authorities and to the American people." It was unveiled March 12, 2002, by Tom Ridge, then the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. However, responsibility for developing, implementing and managing the system was given to the U.S. Attorney General.

In January 2003, the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began administering the system. The decision to publicly announce threat conditions is made by the Secretary of Homeland Security in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, according to Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5.

The scale consists of five color-coded threat levels, which are intended to reflect the probability of a terrorist attack and its potential gravity.

Severe (red): severe risk

High (orange): high risk

Elevated (yellow): significant risk

Guarded (blue): general risk

Low (green): low risk

The specific government actions triggered by different threat levels have not always been revealed to the public, although the government has provided general guidance for civilians and federal agencies. Actions have included increasing police and other security presence at landmarks and other high-profile targets, a closer monitoring of international borders and other points of entry, ensuring that emergency response personnel were ready, and, in some cases, deployment of members of the National Guard and State Guard to assist local law enforcement on security details.

Some of the actions taken as a result of the threat levels have been challenged as being illegal under the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment. No court has yet ruled on these various actions.

The published terror alert notices have urged American citizens, especially those traveling in the transportation systems, to "be vigilant, take notice of their surroundings, and report suspicious items or activities to local authorities immediately." In addition, DHS advises the public to prepare ...