Representatives from the Dane County Regional Airport and the state Capitol Police reported increased security measures following U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan, while other local officials said there has been little change.
\All law enforcement agencies have been asked to evaluate whether additional local security measures are warranted in light of the military operations and the current threat leveled,"" the FBI told local departments Sunday, according to a New York Times report.
Increased security came from fears of further acts of terrorism, after suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden released a video statement in which he said more violence can be expected.
Rod McLean, the deputy director of the Dane County Regional Airport, reported that, due to federal requirements, airport security has been stepped up.
""We have levels of security that were intensified after the first initial bombing yesterday morning at 11:30 [CDT],"" McLean said. ""The [Federal Aviation Administration] required us to make some security adjustments and to intensify certain areas of our security.""
McLean said he could not go into further detail on what ""intensified security"" involved.
In a statement, the Capitol Police said they have also increased security efforts.
""At this time we have restricted access of the State Capitol to three entrances: King Street, State Street and ground floor [of Martin Luther King Boulevard].""
People entering the state Capitol will be asked to allow the inspection of packages. The Capitol Police said the facility remains open for business, but added that additional security measures are being taken, which they are not free to discuss.
While security is being stepped up at the airport and the Capitol, little change in procedure was reported by Larry Kamholz, public information officer of the Madison Police Department.
""We haven't done anything different than we have for several weeks,"" Kamholz said.
Dane County Sheriff Gary Hamblin gave a similar report of security issues throughout the county.
""At the county level, we've not taken any steps over and above what we did on Sept. 11,"" he said. Security measures would be stepped up if there was indication of a credible threat.""
Hamblin said the Sheriff's Department has been meeting with other local city emergency agencies, including the Madison Fire Department, the University Police and the Capitol Police to exchange information.
""If there's an incident that happens here in Madison, that's something we would deal with on a case-by-case basis,"" Kamholz said.
