Fearmongering in Austin: Pakistani Terror Suspect Videotaped Buildings

News 8 Austin | August 12 2004

Comment: This is obviously designed to spread fear amongst Austinites. Austin is a stronghold in its resistance to the New World Order. Does this have anything to do with the attempts to shut down free speech at Austin Cable Access? A couple of days later Ridge and the FBI had to admit that the man in question had no connection to terrorism.

Austin police are on heightened awareness after the arrest of a Pakistani man in North Carolina. Authorities there believe the man is responsible for making a suspicious videotape that features several Austin landmarks.

Kamran Akhtar is under arrest for immigration violations. Federal authorities fear the Pakistani citizen may be conducting surveillance for terrorists. The man was taken into custody July 20 after an officer spotted him videotaping skyscrapers in Charlotte, N.C. He also had tapes of buildings in other cities including Dallas, Houston and Austin.

"We felt that this type of video was a type of surveillance video based on the way these video shots were taken of these locations," APD Asst. Chief of Police Rudy Landeros said.

The video was shot a week prior to his arrest. It had shots of several Austin landmarks including the Governor's Mansion, the State Capitol, Mansfield Dam, the Frost Bank Tower and several buildings along Congress Ave. were also included.

"This video is not the type of video a person would normally take while on vacation," Landeros said.

Authorities are stepping up patrol across the city – mainly downtown. Austin Mayor Will Wynn said the tape is sobering, but the public shouldn't be alarmed.

"I feel safe in Austin in part because I know the time, money and the effort that we spend on our public safety effort locally. The vast majority of our budget each year goes to public safety departments. The police, fire and EMS departments make up over 60 percent of our City of Austin general fund budget. It's clearly our priority keeping our citizens safe," Wynn said.

Federal authorities said there is no immediate public threat, but people should remain vigilant and keep an open eye out.

"I encourage folks in Austin to do what I'm doing, which is to go about our busy daily lives," Wynn said.

APD is working with the FBI and private security companies to heighten public awareness. A representative from the Governor's Office issued a statement Tuesday saying: "At this time there is no known credible threat to the State of Texas.

In a post-Sept. 11 world, Gov. Rick Perry urges all Texans to always remain vigilant but to continue with their daily lives.