(March 17, 2003) -- Governor Gray Davis has directed the CHP immediately to begin 12-hour shifts and double coverage of bridges, waterways, electrical grids, and key buildings. The Governor's office says the CHP will also deploy surveillance aircraft for continuous 24 hour-a-day coverage of key assets and put all inspection facilities at maximum capacity to check traffic at water and land ports of entry.

"We will utilize every resource to protect this state from any and all threats," Gov. Davis said in a written release, adding "We are appropriately preparing for the worst while hoping for the best."

The release said, "Gov. Davis also directed the Office of Homeland Security to work with the CHP, the National Guard and state agencies to coordinate with all 'first responders.'" It added that "state procedures are in place that collect, analyze and distribute vital information among key agencies that work with Homeland Security issues. California's information sharing is considered the best in the nation."

It indicated information on possible terrorist activity will originate from:

• The FBI's Joint Terrorist Task Force (JTTF). Each of the four FBI district offices has JTTF components in California. State and local officers have top secret clearances and work side by side with FBI Agents involved in counter terrorist investigations.
• The California Anti-Terrorist Information Center (CATIC). CATIC will continue to collect the information from 90,000 plus law enforcement officers throughout the state. Information is analyzed at the situation center in Sacramento, then distributed vertically to the FBI and local agencies and horizontally to other states.
• The Terrorist Early Warning Groups (TEWGs). California is the first state in the nation to establish regional Terrorist Early Warning Groups (TEWGs). TEWGs first responders stand ready to respond to any incident within their region. If a threat becomes known they will assist the FBI with the prevention as well as quick response and recovery capabilities.

Governor Davis said, "As a Vietnam veteran, I know from my own personal experiences that we have a responsibility to support our troops when they are in harm's way. If we do proceed down the military path, I will stand behind our men and women in the armed forces 100 percent."