Hometown Security, 7 years later

News:

Middletown has 5 levels of risk of terrorist attacks. Today, September 11, 2008, we are at a yellow level.

• RED Severe risk of terrorist attacks.
• ORANGE High risk of terrorist attacks.
• YELLOW Elevated condition. Significant risk of terrorist attacks.
• BLUE Guarded condition. General risk of terrorist attack.
• GREEN Low risk of terrorist attacks.

Questions:

• WHY?
• What is the cost to the city of increased surveillance, and other measures required by the yellow status?
• What conditions need to be met for the terrorist attack risk level to be changed up or down?
• Who makes that decision?
• Can citizens suggest other entities whose threat to the city can also be color coded?