Local police have reacted to the FBI's urging that law enforcement "be at the highest level of vigilance and be prepared to respond to any act of terrorism or violence should it become necessary."

Sharon police Capt. Michael Menster said patrolmen are "paying special attention" to Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. because the water plant is the city's only major utility.

Sharon officials have an emergency plan in place should something happen, Menster said. Sharon is part of a joint Terrorism Task Force based in Pittsburgh that includes the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The bureau issued the advisory through its National Threat Warning System after Sunday's U.S.-British air assault on Afghan military sites and camps belonging to Osama bin Laden.

Southwest Mercer County Regional police said the alert hasn't led to any changes in patrols or manpower.

"We're keeping an eye out as any department would," said Police Chief Joseph Timko.

Even though the communities Southwest covers -- Farrell, Wheatland and West Middlesex -- are small, they are near Interstate 80, he said.

"It means something for everyone. Even though we're living in a relatively small area, we're certainly in tune with what's going on."

In Grove City, Police Chief Richard Jazwinski said, "Basically we are keeping an eye on our utilities and our water systems."

He added, "We are also constantly getting updates by the federal government, such as information from different states about suspected terrorists. Pages and pages of information."

In Mercer, the major concern is the courthouse, which was closed today, said Mercer Police Chief Frank J. Detelich. "If someone drives a plane through it, there's nothing we can do, but we can keep out undesirables."

Hermitage Police Chief Edward Stanton said his department was being "extra vigilant." Stanton said local police departments were also instructed to keep a close eye on certain types of industries, such as chemical manufacturers.

Shenango Township Police Chief Ronald Preston said he thinks the alert means to keep an eye on unusual things and thoroughly check out anything suspicious, such as certain people of Middle Eastern descent.

"Last week I got 20 pages of just names," he said of a list of people the FBI asked police be on the lookout for.

"I don't think they specifically know what to look for," Preston said. "I think it's more of a generic thing."