Terrorism Expert Addresses July 4th Warning
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Communities across America are urged to be extra vigilant during upcoming Independence Day celebrations. There's a concern 4th of July events could be targets for wannabe terrorists.
While it appears there's no credible immediate threat in America, the FBI and homeland security are urging local organizers to be sensitive to home-grown possibilities.
The "oohs" and "aahs" along the Trinity Saturday will climax a day of celebration and recreation. While there may be cause for wariness, these North Texans say it won't dampen their spirits.
"It doesn't make me have second thoughts about going out. It really doesn't," says Sherry Vanbebber of North Richland Hills.
"Probably not (going to affect plans) I mean, you're going to be vigilant anyway to what's going on. So, no, that wouldn't keep me from wanting to go places," says Joel Taylor of Waco.
But international security expert Kevin Mellott says it's important to be aware of the potential threat from ISIL and its spinoffs, as demonstrated by the bloody attacks in Tunisia, Kuwait, and France.
"The 4th of July symbolizes everything they hate," says Mellott of Erase Enterprises. "The same week that our Supreme Court said same-sex marriage is okay, in the Middle East they were throwing gays off the tops of high rise buildings."
Mellott says large public gatherings like the one set for July 3rd in Southlake, where we interviewed him, will have a high safety factor because of police planning and presence. Still, the "see something say something" idea is proactive and police should be made aware of suspicious behavior.
"If I saw a guy that was wearing, let's say, heavy clothing on a hot day. Nobody wears a hot coat in Texas on the 4th of July," says Mellott.
Mellott insists there are domestic threats, as recent FBI arrests of alleged terrorist sympathizers show. Later this week, Fort Worth police will outline plans for security, traffic, and other issues for July 4th.
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