Metro on heightened alert following terrorist threat

WASHINGTON -- Metro has responded to a potential terrorist threat against the New York City subway system by putting it's transit police officers on heightened vigilance and visibility.

An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking New York's subway system.

The FBI says the report is coming out now because of concern that "such an attack could possibly be conducted during the holiday season."

There has been no specific threat made against the D.C. Metro system, but transit leaders say if you see something, say something.

"We encourage our customers to report suspicious activities to the Metro Transit Police," says Metro spokesperson Cathy Asato. "But we have no reason to believe that the D.C. system is a target."

Increased vigilance and visibility means Metro riders may notice more transit police officers in stations and at bus stops.

"We will typically step up patrols and visibility in the system when there is a threat like this," says Asato.

The nation's terror threat level has not been raised because of the threat against the New York City subway, and U.S. law enforcement officials stress the increased police presence is out of an abundance of caution.

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