L.A. commuters encounter heavily armed deputies as city responds to terrorism threat
Authorities received an overseas tip about an imminent bombing of the Metro Red Line’s Universal City station, which forced federal and local law enforcement in Los Angeles to swiftly ramp up security across its sprawling transit system. (Dec. 6, 20
Los Angeles subway commuters were met by heavily armed deputies and bag searches Tuesday as authorities responded to a report of a possible terrorist attack on the Metro Red Line’s Universal City station.
Increased security was visible across the Los Angeles County transit system as the FBI, LAPD and Sheriff’s Department dealt with what they characterized as imminent threat of unknown credibility following a report from an overseas tip line.
An anonymous man warned of a potential attack on Tuesday and provided the information on a tip line abroad, officials said.
The tip line was run by an unidentified foreign government, which relayed the information Monday morning to an FBI terrorism task force, according to Deirdre Fike, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s office in Los Angeles. She declined to specify from which country the tip originated but said it was delivered in English.
At a hastily called news conference Monday night, the FBI as well as Los Angeles-area law enforcement leaders said the threat was considered specific and imminent, but investigators were still examining its credibility.
At the Universal City station, a sign warned riders they would not be allowed to use the Red Line subway system to downtown L.A. without their bags being searched.
Since early Tuesday morning, sheriff’s bomb squad teams with K-9s have combed the station and other areas of the transit systems.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said beyond the visible presence, undercover deputies will be a presence on trains across the system.
Speaking at Universal City Metro station, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged to the public that law enforcement was prepared and asked residents to be vigilant.
“The eyes and ears of the people of Los Angeles are the most important force multiplier we have,” said Garcetti who rode for several stops on the Red Line.
“Please go about your business today,” Garcetti said.
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