BISMARCK - While Minnesota's mass transit systems went on alert Thursday after the London bombings, North Dakota took less-specific cautions because it has no mass transit.
Twin Cities transit and airport police numbers increased immediately after word of the bombings.
In Bismarck, Gov. John Hoeven directed the state Division of Homeland Security to take steps to respond to heightened security levels declared by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Director Susan Reinertson said her office contacted city and county officials, asking for increased vigilance and heightened awareness for local bus systems operated by some cities, including Fargo. She also asked state agency officials to review emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
"Although there are no specific threats to the nation or region, we will take prudent measures to alert local officials and protect people and property in North Dakota," Hoeven said. "We encourage all North Dakota citizens, and especially the traveling public, to take extra care and be vigilant."
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Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion said in a late-morning news conference that the bombings should not affect security outside the Twin Cites.
Campion and Hoeven said there are no specific threats to the United States or to either state.
Residents may see more officers, more bomb-sniffing dogs and more weapons on Twin Cities buses, the passenger rail line, at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and in Mall of America, Campion said.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said a partial government shutdown caused by lawmakers' inability to reach a budget agreement did not appear to hamper security.
But a retired state Supreme Court justice who is helping decide what should remain operating during the shutdown recommended some Minnesota Department of Transportation people go back to work to allow traffic cameras placed around the Twin Cities to be more widely available, especially to local police departments. The cameras, mostly used to monitor traffic flow, have been operating, but images have not been available to police and the public during the shutdown.
When national homeland security officials elevated the terrorism threat level to orange Thursday, all mass transit systems were included. It also includes passenger rail systems, Pawlenty said. Buses running between cities are not affected, Campion said.
Campion said Minnesota transit and airport authorities increased police presence as soon as they heard about the London bombings.
Hoeven also expressed his sorrow to the English people, saying terrorists "demonstrated their total lack of humanity, and civilized people everywhere are appalled."
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Readers can reach Forum reporter s Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830 and Don Davis at (651) 290-0707
