Bay Area has mixed reaction to Osama bin Laden's death

Bay Area commuters this morning said they reacted to the news of Osama bin Laden's death with happiness, but some are worried about the possibility of retribution locally and nationwide.

Letitia Moore, who took BART to San Francisco from the East Bay this morning, said she is concerned.

"This may be good news, but it doesn't end terror," she said.

On her BART ride into San Francisco, Moore said she noticed the presence of BART police officers but said things weren't too different from an ordinary morning commute.

Robert Blaisdell, a resident of San Francisco's South of Market District and a student at the Art Institute of California, said he was very happy when he saw the news on Facebook Sunday night.

"It symbolizes some type of victory," he said. "It's symbolic of justice."

San Bruno resident Elizabeth Caceres, 76, said she was excited to hear that bin Laden had been killed.

"I was like, 'Wow, thank God'," she said.

Caceres said she is not usually one to celebrate death, but that she was especially glad to learn of bin Laden's demise because her daughter had been living near the World Trade Center in New York during the Sept. 11 attack.

Caceres said she felt nervous riding BART this morning because of the chance of retribution.

Despite her nerves, Caceres said she has to just keep living.

"If it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen," she said.

BART has increased security and is on a high-risk alert today.

All available BART police officers are being used to provide maximum security for riders, BART spokesman Linton Johnson said.

BART's police department canceled scheduled training sessions today in order to make more officers accessible, Johnson said.

There is no specific time frame for how long the extra security will be in place, but Johnson said extra officers will be out "for as long as it takes to feel comfortable."

Bay Area airports were operating normally this morning, the day after Osama bin Laden's death was announced.

Security measures haven't changed at San Francisco International
Airport, airport spokesman Mike McCarron said.

The airport is in constant contact with the Transportation Security Administration and the San Francisco Police Department, McCarron said.

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and Oakland International Airport officials also said they have not received direction from the TSA to increase security.

San Jose airport spokesman David Vossbrink said airports are monitoring for any changes.

"I think everyone is well aware of the situation," he said.

Oakland airport spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes said safety is the No.
1 priority.

"We will continue to remain vigilant," she said. "We are asking traveling public to assist us."

San Francisco Municipal Railway has increased security following President Obama's announcement Sunday night that Osama bin Laden has been killed, a Muni spokesman said.

More field inspectors will be placed along Muni routes throughout the city, spokesman Paul Rose said.

Muni officials are working with San Francisco police to provide more safety personnel in stations, he said.

The increased security is a precaution, Rose said. Federal authorities have warned that there is a risk of retaliation against the U.S. for bin Laden's killing, but no specific threats have been reported.
          By Bay City News Service