POLICE, AIRPORT HEIGHTEN SECURITY

CAPE GIRARDEAU - War in the Persian Gulf has brought about bolstered security at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport and put Cape Girardeau police officers on heightened alert.

The heightened security is being taken to guard against possible terrorist activities against government facilities. Those facilities include the city's federal, state and municipal buildings.

Cape Girardeau Police Capt. Steve Strong said the city's stature as a commercial center and its numerous government buildings led the department to take the precautions.

City police officers were first reminded Monday of the possibility of terrorist attacks in the event of a Persian Gulf war. Strong said officers were told that it was advisable for the city to heighten security around the facilities and for them to be observant of any unusual activities.

Police said the airport's heightened security took effect after Wednesday's attack on Iraq by multi-national forces. Led by the United States, the forces attacked Iraq in retaliation for its Aug. 2 takeover of Kuwait.

"We have increased our patrols of the airport," said Strong. "We also have officers physically present when commercial airplanes are loading passengers, cargo and luggage."

The department, Strong said, is coordinating its efforts with the airport's commercial carrier, Trans World Express, and Airport Manager Mark Seesing.

Strong said no federal agency had sent a message to the police department about being on heightened alert.

"We figured that out on our own. We just thought it would be advisable to take some precautionary steps," he said.

Routine procedures recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration are also in effect at the airport, Strong said. Strong said he didn't know what all those precautions involved, but he said he knew barricades had gone up Thursday to restrict parking in the vicinity of the airport's flight tower.

Questioned about how long the precautions would be in effect, Strong said: "Right now it's definite until the conflict in the Middle East has subsided."

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland said his department had not gone on heightened alert status as there was no reason to do so.

"We will if we have any call to," he said.