Terror Alert System To Be Replaced

For those who travel through the Midland International Airport, this may sound familiar.

ATTN Airport patrons: due to increase risk of terrorist activity, the national threat level is now orange.

Level Orange is one step down from the highest threat level, which is Red. This does not seem to bother anyone, though.

"In the long term, if the color stays the same people don't worry about it anymore," said Rosendo Madrid of Midland.

This is one of the reasons the Department of Homeland Security has decided to change the threat alert system.

"We have been on level orange for the past five years, and you can't maintain a heightened level of security for that long, " said Justine Ruff, Deputy Director of Midland International Airport

The current system of alerts, created 9 years ago in the aftermath of 9/11, is being criticized for being too vague.

"I heard about the colors ,but I don't know which one is the highest and which one is lowest," said Madrid.

Homeland security secretary - Janet Napolitano, unveiled a new system -which promises to be more straightforward and provide more information on the threat.

"In its place, DHS will implement a new system that is built on a clear and simple premise,"  said Napolitano. "When a threat develops that could impact the public, we will tell you,"

Not only will the warning give more information about the threat, but it will also target specific airports. For example, the risk may not be as high at smaller airports, such as Midland International. For airlines, this means a smoother landing and takeoff. However, if there is a threat specific to the Permian Basin, travelers may be more aware of it and not blow off the warning.

"If they say there is a measurable threat in our area and we need to raise our security, I think people will be more understanding," said Ruff.