Gov. Sanford Issues Statement on Upgraded Terror Alert

SOUTH CAROLINIANS URGED TO STAY ALERT, REPORT SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR

Governor Mark Sanford today released the following statement on today's decision by President Bush to upgrade the nation's terror alert status to Code Orange (High Alert) as recommended by the Department of Homeland Security:

"SLED has been in regular, direct contact with the Homeland Security office in Washington regarding this upgraded terror alert," Sanford said. "Those lines of communication worked flawlessly - and are still up and running as we speak. Chief Stewart has fully briefed both my senior staff and I on our state's coordinated response and I have complete and total confidence in him and in SLED regarding our state's security. The bottom line for folks here in South Carolina is that we need to keep our eyes open, stay alert and immediately report anything that looks suspicious to our local law enforcement agencies."