Dear Mayor:

Late Yesterday, we received word from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) that Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge had raised the National Threat Advisory Level from Yellow (Elevated) to Orange (High), indicating that the risk of terrorist activities has intensified. Major Dennis DelFava, Commanding Officer of the State Police Emergency Management Section, has sent notice to your County Emergency Management Coordinators.

That notice, in part, reads, "While there are no indications of immanent attacks on specific targets in the United States, the current level of terrorist activity worldwide makes it prudent to raise our awareness and improve our posture for response."

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated. It will continue round-the-clock operations until further notice.

If you have any questions or need any additional assistance, you should contact your County Coordinator or Mr. Joseph Painting, Chief, Operational Planning Bureau, at (609) 538-6012.

We thank Major DelFava for helping us to keep you informed. And we thank you for all you do for the cause of Hometown Security.