The Office of Homeland Security raised the level of risk from terrorist attack this week from Elevated Yellow to High Orange. A letter advising heightened awareness and security measures was sent to Emergency Management Agencies throughout the U.S. and passed on from them to local area law enforcement and emergency professionals.

The letter stated, "Based on increased volume of creditable intelligence and some of the highest indicators since 9-11, the Department of Homeland Security has raised the Homeland Security Advisory System Threat condition to High level threat (Orange)."

Macon County's Emergency Management Director is Lafayette Fire Chief Keith Scruggs. He says the government agencies issued a heightened alert status to protect the infrastructure of the government at all levels in case something happens. With the risk increase from Elevated Yellow to High Orange, additional security measures are authorized. For law enforcement and government personnel, these measures include taking additional precaution at public events, preparing to work at an alternate site with a dispersed workforce, and restricting access to essential personnel only.

What being on Orange alert status means to Macon County is that there will be a larger than usual police presence on the roads this week. More checks will be made on high security areas, such as the water towers and waste treatment plants. Any building that stores chemicals will be checked frequently. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting a roadblock on Highways 52 and 10. They will be checking driver's licenses, but also, along with other Macon County police and sheriff departments, looking for suspicious vehicles and persons.

Assistant Chief Steve Evans, of the Red Boiling Springs Police Department, says "People need to be more aware of what's going on around them, and report any kind of suspicious behavior to the police." Chief Jerry Dallas of the Lafayette Police Department cautions, "We can't let the threat of terrorist attack control what we do, but we need to be aware of our surroundings and alert to any thing that seems suspicious or out of place."

In their letter to local law enforcement and emergency personnel, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), advised increasing visible security and awareness. Representatives say they expect to receive special security requirements from the Department of Homeland Security and will pass these along to local law enforcement and emergency personnel.