FBI On High Alert For Fourth Of July Terrorist Attack
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are asking Americans to remain vigilant to the threat of a terror attack over the Fourth of July weekend.
The FBI is setting up command centers at its 56 field offices across the country, including the one in Minnesota.
Although officials say there is no credible threat, the FBI is reacting to a call to arms by ISIS for mass murder during Ramadan.
Local and state officials in Minnesota have had a close relationship with the FBI since 2007, when the first of more than 20 men from Minneapolis left to fight overseas.
This holiday weekend, they hope the ground work that has been laid will help keep Minnesotans safe.
Messages from the Islamic State, calling supporters to arms against Americans during the Fourth of July holiday, is one reason the FBI put out a warning.
"We don't have any credible threat information to suggest any plot is ongoing; however, we want to have that response capability in the event something happens," Kyle Loven said.
Even though there's no credible threat, all field offices in the country, including Minnesota, will be on high alert.
"The purpose of these command centers is to ensure that the FBI has a proper response mechanism in the event of an event that would occur over the Fourth of July weekend," Loven said.
Former CIA agent Michael Morell told CBS news that he feels the threat is as high as it's ever been.
He says the attacks of last week show the global reach of ISIS: Three cities, within three hours, on three continents -- France, Tunsia and Kuwait -- were all victims of an ISIS call to action.
"We happen to have a very good atmosphere here in Minnesota with respect to inter-agency cooperation, so we are going to continue with that as we push through the Fourth of July holiday," Loven said.
Minnesota has a joint terrorism task force that has been active for years.
They know local players and areas considered hotbeds for terrorism recruiting.
The FBI hopes this knowledge helps in making sure nothing outside of fireworks captures the attention of Minnesotans and Americans on the Fourth of July.
The FBI wants people to carry on with their holiday festivities but be alert.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Minneapolis Police Department are working with the FBI. They want to remind people that if you see something, say something.
