'Minor tweaking'

Officials ask for more law enforcement officers at Games

By Terry Frieden, CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing the need for "constant vigilance," the Justice Department is calling for security improvements and a slightly heftier law enforcement presence as Salt Lake City gets ready to host the Winter Olympics.

In a statement released Tuesday, the department called the steps an effort to "fine tune" an "excellent, state-of-the-art security operation" already in place.

"The Winter Olympics pose an enormous security challenge with 17 days of events in 15 venues and other areas covering more than 900 square miles," the statement said. "The challenges inherent in this effort demonstrate the need for constant vigilance."

Attorney General John Ashcroft asked for the improvements after he toured Olympic and related sites earlier this month.

Justice Department sources confirm that Ashcroft asked Olympic organizers to deploy approximately 50 to 75 additional law enforcement officers "to plug gaps" in the existing security plan to guard against possible terrorist attacks.

The sources would not discuss the specific role of the officers, and said no decision has yet been made as to which law enforcement agencies would supply these additional officers. They did point out that the figure is a very small number compared to the thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel who will be helping to guard the Olympics and related venues.

Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the Office of Homeland Security, said it was a "mischaracterization" to say the addition of 50 or more security personnel to a roster of 18,000 constituted an increase in security. Johndroe called it a "minor tweaking" of the security plan, and pointed out that the additional personnel would be assigned outside Winter Olympic venues.

"This is a dynamic event," said Johndroe, "and security is undergoing constant evaluation."

Talking to CNN the weekend before last from Salt Lake City, Ashcroft did not raise any concerns.

 

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