O'Malley Holds Call To Discuss Security In Md.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Monday held a conference call with state and local officials who have been reminded to be extra vigilant in case of reprisals following Osama bin Laden's death.
Edward McDonough, a spokesman for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, said about a dozen state agencies were on the call, including representatives from the transportation and health departments and the Maryland State Police.
"Basically the idea is there are no known threats out there, but as with everyone, we're on a heightened state of awareness right now," McDonough said.
Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for the governor, said county officials as well as representatives from Baltimore and Annapolis participated in the call, which lasted about a half-hour.
"The governor participated in the call this morning and urged all law enforcement and local government and municipalities to work together to coordinate to make sure that we are in constant communication and working in a very cooperative way with federal agencies in the state of Maryland," Abbruzzese said.
O'Malley is in North Carolina for an annual education symposium he has attended every year since he was governor, Abbruzzese said. O'Malley left Sunday for the invitation-only symposium, which is designed for governors and their policy staff. The governor is scheduled to return Tuesday. Abbruzzese said the governor will participate in more conference calls Monday.
Maryland Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, praised the team work of the nation's intelligence agencies and the special forces for a successful mission.
"It sent a message to the entire world: If you attack us we're going to find you and we're going to bring you to justice," Ruppersberger said in a telephone interview Monday afternoon.
While Ruppersberger described the mission as a big morale booster to the nation, he said it was critical for the country to remain on guard against potential retaliatory strikes.
"We really have to keep up our vigilance," Ruppersberger said.
The congressman also noted concern that the compound where bin Laden was hiding was in a city that is home to three Pakistani army regiments and thousands of soldiers, yet it took carefully developed U.S. intelligence work and a precise special operations strike to get the world's most wanted man.
"It really concerns me greatly that this compound is in the middle of a residential area," Ruppersberger said.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
