(Hilton Head) March 18, 2003 - State Law Enforcement Chief Robert Stewart says the heightened threat level will prompt increased security throughout South Carolina. The national Department of Homeland Security raised the nation's threat level to orange Monday night.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge also announced the implementation of increased protective measures under a comprehensive national plan to protect the Homeland: "Operation Liberty Shield."

Governor Mark Sanford says he, Stewart, who heads up the state's Homeland Security efforts, and South Carolina's security team have been briefed by Ridge, and they are working with the federal government to keep South Carolina as safe as possible.

Stewart says the state has learned a lot since 9-11, "There's a much greater level of cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies, especially between local state and federal, law enforcement community and the military. We weren't used to dealing that often with the military."

Sanford urged South Carolinians to continue their normal activities with heightened awareness.

The security steps being taken now will be different in some ways compared to what happened a year and a half ago. Security at the State House parking garage has been beefed up for several months.

It is likely going to stay that way as the US takes on Iraq.

There are no plans for National Guard soldiers to provide security at the state's major airports like in the days following 9-11. The governor's office said Tuesday there is no need to call out the National Guard at this time. South Carolinians can expect to see most additional security measures being carried out by law enforcement officers and not the Guard in the absence of some specific threat.

Part of the reason is cost. The federal government wanted troops at the airports as a show of force that would reassure passengers after 9-11. The government paid for those soldiers.

Assistant Adjutant General Harry Burchstead says this time states might have to foot the bill and most, including South Carolina, are short on cash, "The state's going through a state budget crisis now and very stressed out and bringing National Guard troops on state active duty with the state picking up the tab would be almost prohibitive."

Chief Stewart says cost will not the be the only consideration, "If it's something that needs to be done, we're going to do it. Now a lot depends on what information you have and what's going on around the country." He says agencies involved will likely cancel annual leave and out-of-state training. Law enforcement and emergency personnel will also be checking their gear to make sure everything is working.

SLED and other agencies have had a year and a half to identify and fortify potential targets, such as the port of Charleston.

Stewart has also helped set up a statewide and regional counter-terrorism councils, "If war occurs, there will be an additional layer of things that will happen. And if events start occurring in the country, we will then have to of course adjust again."

There's another good reason to avoid using National Guard soldiers unless necessary. A lot of them are in the Middle East. Roughly a third of South Carolina's 9200 Army Guard members have been mobilized. Almost half of the Air Guard is now gone.

The Guardsmen who have shipped out, in many cases, are command and control personnel. That weakens the units they leave behind.

In Charleston, Mayor Joe Riley reassured residents the city is prepared to deal with any possible terrorist attack. Riley says he doesn't know if Charleston's major port and military installations make it a more likely target than other places in South Carolina.

The mayor says, because a port would appear a likely target, terrorists would know there is heightened security. Riley, like Sanford, urged residents to go about their normal business. He says terrorists would claim a victory if people cut back what they are doing.

Terrorism preparedness dominated the first day of the state's Hurricane and Emergency Management Conference at Hilton Head Island on Monday. Chief Stewart spoke to the gathering of police and emergency personnel, asking them for better coordination and giving a pep talk.

By Jack Kuenzie
Updated 6:18pm by BrettWitt with AP