FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 7, 2005

CONTACT: John Berheim, South Dakota Homeland Security Director, (605) 773-3450

Statement by South Dakota Office of Homeland Security Director John Berheim 

PIERRE, S.D.  – We have been working with our federal liaisons to closely monitor the bombings in London. Our condolences go to the victims of this incident and the people of London. 

We do not have any specific intelligence indicating this type of attack is planned in the United States, but we are constantly evaluating both intelligence and our protective measures and will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure citizens’ safety.

At 10:45 a.m. (CT), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the United States is going to a threat level "orange" for the mass transit systems. At this time, we do not believe this will affect South Dakota.  

We have been in direct communication with officials at the state and local levels and with public and private sector transportation officials. We are asking for increased vigilance and additional security measures for our major transportation systems. 

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the department has implemented the Interagency Incident Management Group to ensure full situational awareness around this incident and in the United States.  

South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s mission is to keep South Dakota a safe place to live, work, visit and raise a family. Visit www.state.sd.us/dps for more information about the department and its agencies.

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