University communications and campus security officials met with Chancellor Mark Emmert on Thursday in response to the raised terror threat level from “elevated risk” yellow to “high risk” orange by the government.
University officials have updated the LSU Web site with links from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including outlines of what each terror threat level means, Emmert said.
“The bottom line is as we learn things we’ll update the Web site to let the campus know what’s going on,” said Gene Sands, University spokesman.
In the event of a terrorist attack, if communications fail, including phone lines and the Internet, LSUPD will take patrol cars and broadcast updates around campus, Sands said.
Level orange is the second highest threat level before level red, which signals an imminent attack, the Associated Press said.
Jay Mayeaux, chief of the Homeland Security Division of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness, said there is no credible evidence there is a specific target in Louisiana.
The LOEP has alerted the same personnel and response teams that would respond to a natural disaster, Mayeaux said.
“We are at a heightened state of alert, and we ask our citizens to do the same,” he said.
Officials are particularly concerned about a “dirty bomb,” which would emit radiation over a confined area. But the threat of conventional explosive devices and assassinations is a possibility, the Associated Press said.
Some people are taking precautions around Baton Rouge — buying food, water and plastic tarps and duct tape to make a “safe room” in the event of a chemical attack. Some students on campus have concerns but do not seem particularly worried.
One local woman shopping at Wal-Mart said she laughed at first when she heard the government’s announcement to prepare, but after talking to other people, she decided to buy duct tape and plastic tarps.
“I think it’s kind of crazy for people to buy tarps and tape. People think it’s the end of the world,” said Alaina Armstrong, an interior design junior.
Emmert said he thinks as far as evacuation plans are concerned, there is more awareness in Louisiana because of hurricanes and hazardous chemical spills. Louisiana has good emergency equipment, back-up electricity, lighting and good evacuation plans, he said.
However, Kyle Balding, a computer science freshman, said “natural disaster and chemical warfare evacuation tactics are different.”
Carrie Desselle, a general studies senior, said the only thing she worries about is how to get people out of a highly populated area.
“I don’t think anyone knows what’s going to happen,” she said.
Carolyne Chung, a general business administration freshman, said she is not thinking about an attack, even though it affects the economy and the rest of the world.
“I think it’s all really talk. They’re just trying to scare us,” said George Rodriguez, a psychology sophomore. “Unconventional warfare is psychological. If you think you lost already, that’s half the battle.”
While Rodriguez said he is more concerned about an attack from within, rather than an invasion, his roommate Chase Courville, a history sophomore, said he is not that scared.
“I don’t think they have the balls,” Courville said.
LSUPD Chief of Police Randy Watts said the goal of terrorists is to strike fear in the community and make people believe the government cannot protect them.
“I think they’re doing an admirable job,” Watts said.