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The slippery slope of terror threats… In Dover, New Jersey officials believe they have discovered a potential threat to homeland security…gumballs.

Officials worry that gumballs in their town could be poisoned by terrorists who see them as a tempting bait for unsuspecting children.

While there is no doubt the people of Dover are well intentioned, the fact is there are thousands of ways terrorists can strike. It could be at the local buffet restaurant, the produce department of the grocery store or behind the popcorn counter at the movie theater. For every potential risk identified, there are several more that you would never think of.

While you shouldn’t ignore any identified threat, time and resources might be better spent in implementing a program that teaches the community how to better observe and report suspicious activity and persons. This alone will go a long way in safeguarding your community against ALL potential terrorist threats, including those you have not yet identified.

Heads-up thanks to Michelle Malkin

The Article

Three Dover officials say they’ve found a serious homeland security threat to chew on: gumballs.

They worry the colorful round treats could be poisoned by an enterprising terrorist who sees them as bait for unsuspecting targets — young kids.

So, with the approval of the mayor and the skepticism of the police chief in this central Morris County town of 18,000, the three aldermen are in the middle of a nine-month inspection of Dover’s coin-operated gumball and candy machines. Thus far, they have surveyed 103 local businesses about their machines.

Led by Alderman Frank Poolas, who envisioned the project and enlisted the aid of fellow Aldermen Jack Delaney and Michael Picciallo, the trio began their investigation six months ago and plan to report their results to Mayor James Dodd Jan. 1.

Already they say they’ve discovered more than 100 unlicensed coin-operated machines in town — many filled with gumballs, jawbreakers and other candies they call perfect for potential terrorists.

The security threat should be “looked at seriously in light of what has happened so far,” said Poolas. “Someone who wanted to do harm really could.”

However, Police Chief Harold “Butch” Valentine said the police department has no reason to believe terrorists are even contemplating contaminating candy.

“We’ve never received any information to the contrary. The gumballs are safe,” he said.

The odds are remote that candy machines would be targeted by terrorists, he added. “You’d probably win the lottery first,” Valentine said.

Thomas Zellman, director of the Morris County Department of Law and Public Safety, agreed that gumball machines are “certainly not” a threat to homeland security.

Source