Threat prompts tighter security at Statue of Liberty

NEW YORK — Security was tightened at the Statue of Liberty because of a threat to destroy the landmark in New York Harbor, authorities said Monday.

The threat, from a "domestic" source, had warned of an attack on Sunday, authorities said.

No trouble was reported by Monday and both Liberty Island and neighboring Ellis Island remained open and were operating normally, said Edie Shean-Hammond, a National Park Service regional spokeswoman.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force alerted the National Park Service. Police provided additional boat and air patrols around the islands.

"We take all threats seriously and respond to them accordingly," Shean-Hammond said.

After the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center towers, just across the harbor, Liberty Island was closed to tourists for 100 days. The interior of the statue itself remains closed, according to the Park Service Web site.