Gov. Abbott Reassures Texans After Terror Threat
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott sought to reassure Texans Friday after Texas was mentioned in the latest terror warning.
In a statement, Governor Abbott said, "Texans should go about their daily lives as usual, but remain vigilant over the next several days and report any suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement."
While experts say there is no specific threat or target here in Texas, Kevin Mellott, owner of Erase Enterprises, who shares intelligence with the State Department and FBI, says there is a good reason the Lone Star State could be hit by terrorists.
"We know it's easy to cross the border," said Mellott. "We know our border is unprotected, we know the state is doing a lot. We know the federal government is somewhat limited on what they've been in involved in, so it'd be easy to bring people across into Texas to carry-out an attack."
Mellott said while there may not be a specific threat, it should be still considered credible.
He cited a handbook that ISIS created on how to operate here in the U.S.
"You're being directed as to what kind of targets are acceptable, you're being told what kind of devices can be used, instructions on how to make the device, so I don't really call them lone-wolfs," said Mellott. "I call them remote agents."
He and security expert Chaim Koppel said the remote agents target gathering places -- with little to no police protection.
They pointed to the attacks on the Culwell Center in Garland last year and the nightclub in Orlando.
Koppel said, "Like a supermarket, school, event place, sports place, and a place where more than 20 people congregate together. It's the perfect target."
He said in Texas, those who are licensed to carry concealed weapons -- could become life-savers.
"In case something happens, and they use their weapons, they will stop an attack. Many times, attacks happen in ten to 20 seconds and they're running out of bullets and that's it," said Koppel. "People are dead and there's nothing to do."
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