LA police heighten security at transit stations after threat called in from foreign country

LOS ANGELES –  Federal and local Los Angeles officials said on Monday a “specific” threat had been called in from a foreign country against the city’s Red Line commuter rail system, prompting them to alert the public.

“This threat is imminent, … it is very specific,” Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told an evening news conference. “But the credibility still needs to be vetted.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This threat is imminent, … it is very specific," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck told an evening news conference. "But the credibility still needs to be vetted."

Law enforcement officials at the news conference said the threat had been relayed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by a law enforcement agency in another country, where the threat had originated. Officials did not identify the country.

The caller vowed to carry out the attack against a Red Line station across the street from the Universal Studios theme park on Tuesday, Beck said.

The Red Line runs between downtown Los Angeles and northern neighborhoods including Hollywood and North Hollywood. It does not operate between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

Beck and Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said law enforcement would be stepped up at the Universal City/Studio City station and elsewhere along the city’s rail lines.

“You will see additional measures but they are out of an abundance of caution,” Beck said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You will see additional measures but they are out of an abundance of caution," Beck said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said he would board the train at the Universal City station himself on Tuesday as a show of confidence.