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State To Tighten Security Ahead Of July 4 Celebrations

BOSTON (CBS) -- Massachusetts law enforcement officials are preparing to tighten security ahead of the 4th of July weekend.

Federal Homeland Security authorities are increasingly calling for vigilance, some suggesting the terror threat is higher now than at any point since the September 11th attack.

"I don't want to tell Americans what to do," said former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morrell on CBS This Morning, "but I wouldn't be surprised if we are sitting here next week talking about an attack over the weekend."

WBZ Security Analyst and former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis says it's not unusual for law enforcement to receive terror warnings, but this one seems particularly alarming.

"When you have the former deputy director of the CIA saying he expects something to happen. We have the Secretary of Homeland Security say this is the most serious threat since 9/11. Those comments have to be taken seriously," Davis said.

He believes it is especially concerning given recent high profile attacks around the world linked to ISIS.  The group has called on its followers to engage in attacks during Ramadan.

Massachusetts State Police Colonel Timothy Alben says the warnings are not specific yet still causing a heightened approach to security.  "We'll be doing what they call scrubbing the intelligence for the rest of this week leading up to Friday and Saturday. That's going through everything that's in that data, looking at suspicious activity reports or individuals."

There will be hundreds of uniformed state troopers and police officers at the Esplanade as part of what Alben calls "a robust security plan."

Still, he stresses, the best partner is citizens being alert and reporting suspicious activity.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports:

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