What the FBI Terror Alert for July 4 Really Means

Over the past few days, you’ve probably seen a headline or caught a news report about the recent bulletin from the Federal Bureau of Investigation about terror threats coinciding with the July 4 holiday.

The FBI is on high alert and is urging everyone to stay vigilant, but for an average citizen thinking about going to a fireworks show or watching a parade, what does this really mean? Should you be worried?

In short, no. But cautious? Yes.

Law enforcement often issue warnings over holidays and major national events in an abundance of caution knowing that, from a terrorist’s point of view, the timing of an attack can determine how much coverage it gets.

For this holiday, though, there are additional concerns, including the recruiting ISIS has done in the United States and the potential for relatively small-scale, but still dangerous, “lone wolf” attacks.

Following overseas attacks in June, Department of Homeland Security Jeb Johnson said law enforcement was being encouraged to be “vigilant and prepared” for Independence Day celebrations.”

“We will also adjust security measures, seen and unseen, as necessary to protect the American people,’’ Johnson said. “We continue to encourage all Americans to attend public events and celebrate this country during this summer season, but always remain vigilant.’’

“I know I’d take my family to an event, fireworks or parade,” said Col. Michael J. Winquist, a chief of police in Cranston, RI.

At his last job, Winquist was the director of the state’s Fusion Center — one of 76 such centers dotting the country that coordinate intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts. And there’s one covering you, right now.

In this case, he said, there is no credible or specific threat, Winquist told Patch. That means that the warning and calls to be on high alert are not much different than the precautions urged on New Year’s Eve and other events where large gatherings of people are expected..

The most recent FBI alert is one of those “general concerns,” but that doesn’t mean that law enforcement in your city or town isn’t taking extra precautions.

As a result, a community event like a parade will have a strong police presence. But the tools police use these days might be invisible to the general public.

You might see police conducting K-9 sweeps to check garbage bins and parade viewing stands. There will be undercover officers in the crowd, in the parade, and others in places you might never think of looking.

“A lot of times, these plots are uncovered through good police working with citizens who report suspicious activity,” Winquist said. “I know a lot of other chiefs are doing the same — monitoring the events they have and employing all the security tools at their disposal.”