Code Orange For U.S. Mass Transit

Local And Regional Bus, Rail Systems Heighten Security

(CBS/AP) 
Chertoff said the federal government had asked state and local officials to deploy additional police and bomb-detecting canine teams, step up video surveillance, add more perimeter barriers, and increase inspections of trash receptacles.

Most local governments were doing just that soon after the London attacks.

Police in Washington's Metro rail system began carrying machine guns.

At the Farragut West station, the one closest to the White House, CBS News Correspondent Peter Maer saw transit police using announcements and flashing signs to remind passengers to watch for anything suspicious.

They did: There was a report of suspicious package at the Rockville, Md., stop Thursday morning. It turned out to be a bag of trash.

About 1.2 million people a day ride Washington's buses and trains.

In New York, Gov. George Pataki said transit systems would operate normally Thursday.

"Just show a little bit more alertness, look around, if there are any unattended bags or packages or backpacks, let the authorities know," he told WCBS-AM.

In Los Angeles, a police official said police had activated a special command center and officials were meeting to decide whether to upgrade security levels around the city.

A spokeswoman for the Chicago Transit Authority said transit officials were working with Chicago Police on additional security measures. CTA spokeswoman Kimberly Myles said announcements were being made to riders to be aware of their surroundings and to alert transit workers about suspicious packages.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney raised the security level on Boston's transit system as a precaution.

"I've directed that we assume Code Orange status with regard to our subway system, and that means bringing out additional resources, scrambling additional personnel to be able to monitor those who come out of the subway system, and to assure that we're moving as quickly as we can to protect the public," Romney told CBS radio station WBZ.

"Amtrak has increased its security threat level," spokesman Clifford Black told WTOP. "We're putting more resources into our security efforts ... We'll continue at this heightened security level until we have a better understanding of the events in London."

Ridership on the regional rail system in the Philadelphia area was normal during the morning rush hour.

"The public transportation systems were designed by their very nature to be as open and accessible to the public as possible, which obviously makes them vulnerable to terrorist attacks," SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said. "The greatest weapon in the terrorist arsenal is fear and panic."

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said the state is ready to provide its large transit systems in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with security help from the state police, if requested.

Jittery traders on Wall Street sent stocks sharply lower, as investors abandoned stocks and fled to bonds, seen as a safer investment during uncertain times.

The U.S. Treasury Department was monitoring global markets following the attacks in London. In a written statement, Treasury Secretary John Snow said, "I will stay in touch with world financial leaders."