Homeland Security: No ‘specific’ intel on 9/11 anniversary threat

There is no “specific or credible intelligence” suggesting that Al Qaeda is plotting an attack to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said Friday.

Nonetheless, the federal government is urging Americans to “remain vigilant” as the solemn milestone approaches.

“While threats remain, our nation is stronger than it was on 9/11, more prepared to confront evolving threats, and more resilient than ever before,” Napolitano said in a statement. “We remain at a heightened state of vigilance and security measures are in place to detect and prevent plots against the United States should they emerge.”

A new Gallup poll released Friday indicated that Americans’ terrorism fears have again receded after a brief uptick following the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they believed that terrorist acts were very or somewhat likely to occur in the coming weeks, the lowest number since June 2005. Forty-two percent said an attack was not too likely, and 18% said an attack not at all likely.

On May 2, one day after Bin Laden’s death, the number saying an attack was likely had jumped to 62%, the highest in eight years.

michael.memoli@latimes.com