Vigilance can deter any future attack

Since terrorists crashed two hijacked jetliners into the World Trade Center and one into the Pentagon, Americans have been living with the threat that terrorists might try to carry out more attacks on their homeland.

Attorney General John Ashcroft has warned that terrorists are still operating in this country and has asked people to be vigilant. Indeed, it became obvious after the death and destruction the suicide pilots inflicted on Sept. 11 that Osama bin Laden's followers won't stop at anything to carry out their deadly missions against the United States.

Anything is possible, from attacking nuclear power plants to spreading deadly chemicals or viruses with crop-dusters to contaminating public water supplies.

Although we know of no evidence that attacks of these types have been or are planned, the government was concerned enough to prohibit crop-dusters from flying for a couple of days, and operators of water supply plants have been told to be on the alert for anything unusual.

Officials in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City say they have initiated added security measures at their water-treatment facilities since the attack, and operators of other water plants around the nation have done the same. Still, those affiliated with the three local water plants say they could be penetrated if someone were intent on doing so.

While those aren't very comforting words, the fact that water-supply operators are cognizant to the possibilities of attempts to poison water offers some assurance that if the worst were to happen, it would not go long unnoticed.

Security has been beefed up at Cape Girardeau's two water-treatment plants. Police now make additional patrols, and operators have been instructed to be alert to anything out of the ordinary. Gates at both plants are now locked at all times.

The same is true at Jackson, and at Scott City new locks have been installed on gates. Similar actions have been taken at other plants, making undetected illegal entry more difficult.

It is good to know that water is tested daily for unwanted chemicals and bacteria. If it contained anything unusual it would be detected, it can be hoped, in timely fashion.

As our nation and other countries around the world wage war on terrorists, it is imperative that precautions such as those we have seen continue to be taken. We now know what these terrorists are capable of, and a vigilant nation can thwart any future attack attempts.