Transcript: Ridge Raises Threat Level

So I don't think they're necessarily going to take...

(CROSSTALK)

RIDGE: You would have to ask Commissioner Kelly. I don't think he's necessarily going to take the city up. The level of security in New York City is not only higher -- they call their level now orange.

But remember, for the past couple of months, an administration- wide effort has taken place. And a lot of those initiatives are in addition to what New York puts in place permanently.

RIDGE: On top of that, you can put a third layer, which is the layer of security we have brought into play because of the Republican Convention, the same level of security, more people are more technology associated with the convention, so you have a higher baseline for New York, initiatives we have undertaken with them during the past several months. And on top of that, independent of the first two, even more security, people and technology, because the convention will be there.

So New York City is a very high level of security right now.

QUESTION: This is a new approach for homeland security to sort of target particular cities and sectors and say this is the areas we're raising to orange, not the entire country. Is this sort of a surgical approach you plan to do in the future, considering the financial cost to the rest of the country?

RIDGE: We have announced a change in the threat level about half a dozen times, and I think we've tried to explain to the public that, one we know it raises the level of anxiety. We also know that it imposes a certain cost on communities, because much of the response is labor-intensive. We also said all along if we had the opportunity based on specific and credible information, we could apply it surgically.

And here we have, according to the reporting we have available now, a fairly confined area and a fairly specific -- not exclusively, but a fairly specific sector of the economy. I mean, these weren't the only targets, but again fairly specific sector of the economy. So I think it demonstrates if nothing else the flexibility and appropriate application and focus of resources where we need it most and we need it. And that's now.

STAFF: You have time for one more question, Mr. Secretary.

QUESTION: I'm sorry, sir, so we're talking about a specific geographical area, and not -- when you say "financial services sector," you mean a specific geographical area of New York, correct?

RIDGE: No, we're taking a look at northern New Jersey, New York City, and Washington, D.C. You can see what the institutions represent from the list I gave you, both domestic and international major institutions.

RIDGE: There are other -- I think it's reasonable to infer from that that for the time being, targets of economic opportunity, or iconic economic targets, are at the heart of their interest.

And therefore, until we get more information, because we're still rolling out more information, still getting more information, still analyzing more information, we just thought confined area, financial sector, seems to be the primary focus.

Let's raise it to orange, review vulnerabilities and asses protective measures, even at other financial institutions that may not be on the list, just as a precautionary measure. It seems to indicate a clear intent, and until we can conclude otherwise, we think it's best to move in that direction.

Thank you very much.