The Department of Homeland Security has named five buildings it believes could be targeted in a new wave terrorist attacks. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says that credible information indicates that the headquarters for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are targets. The buildings are adjacent to one another, just two blocks from the White House, on Pennsylvania Avenue at H Street, between 18th and 20th streets.
The Post is reporting today that although officials are not planning to close any streets, security personnel will be “more aggressive” searching vehicles coming near the IMF and World Bank for explosives. 17th Street, between Farragut Square and Constitution Avenue (adjacent to the White House’s Old and New Executive Office Buildings), is already shut down to all trucks. Although we understand their motivations, DCist is a little concerned by Mayor Anthony Williams and Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey’s suggestion D.C. citizens notify the authorities if they spot “strangers photographing possible targets” and “people or vehicles making unusual movements.” We wonder when the last time was they took a stroll around the monuments in August.
Aside from other office buildings in the area, a number of George Washington University dormitories and buildings stand across the street from the World Bank and IMF buildings. Surely, parents of summer political interns living at GW aren’t comforted with the news.
Other terror targets include the Prudential Financial tower in Newark, N.J., Citigroup in Midtown Manhattan and the New York Stock Exchange in Lower Manhattan.
