The Department of Homeland Security Wednesday lowered the “high risk” terror alert for five financial institutions in D.C, New York and New Jersey to “elevated risk.”
Homeland Security officials told The Washington Post that the alert level was lowered because tight security measures put in place since the alert was issued in August have eliminated the need for the warning.
D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey said the reduction of the alert level will cause his department to scale back the amount of patrols it conducts near the two D.C. organizations affected by the alert: the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The IMF building is located at 19th and F streets; the World Bank occupies the 1800 block of H Street.
Metropolitan Police established checkpoints on 21st and H streets and 21st and F streets in August after the alert level was raised, but there is no indication yet on whether they will stay in place. MPD and University officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
-Ryan Holeywell