Peninsula on heightened alert in wake of terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C.

The North Olympic Peninsula remained on a heightened alert for suspicious activity Tuesday in the wake of terrorist attacks nearly 3,000 miles away.

Authorities stepped up security at the Elwha River dams, ferry terminals, the Hood Canal Bridge and at military establishments.

Lt. Mark Hiigel of Coast Guard Group Port Angeles said the base was on the second-highest state of alert Tuesday.

“We’re at Threat Con Charlie,” Hiigel said Tuesday.

There are four steps, Hiigel said — Alpha is the lowest and Delta is the highest.

“There’s a possibility that we may be moving up to Threat Con Delta,” Hiigel said.

All cutters under the command of Group Port Angeles — including the cutter Osprey based in Port Townsend — were deployed, Hiigel said.

“Their primary role right now is maritime security and Port security, those type of things,” he said.

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