Special Report: Terrorisim on the Vineyard

Tourist
"NO! No I don’t think about it."

Tourist
"I wouldn't see it as a target."

But even on this peaceful island, some are preparing for worst case scenarios.

George Gostenhofer - Resident
"If there’s an explosion anyplace there’s going to be panic."

George Gostenhofer is a long time island resident. He's afraid of an attack on the main land that could contaminant the air on the island.

George Gostenhofer - Resident
"The chances of there being a dangerous exposure of nuclear radiation over any wide area is extremely remote but the fear of that is going to be enormous."

To calm that fear he's donated these key chain sized 'nukalerts' that every full time law enforcement official on the island is now carrying

Judith Sibert - Director, West Tisbury Emergency Management
"Having these devices is going to help us to be able to say to the public we're not in danger here, we're monitoring the island, we have it completely covered."

Its part of a nationwide effort to arm the entire country with these portable alarms.

Steve Jones - Physicians for Civil Defense
"This is the first organized net like this in the country."

So how can they help? Well the 'nukalerts' are similar to radiation detectors custom officials at Logan Airport have been using. They scan the air for any trace of radiation that could have been released through dirty bombs or through attacks on nuclear power plants.

Chief Beth Toomey - West Tisbury Police Dept.
"If something were to happen somewhere and people panicked, that’s a public safety issue and I can help alive that by telling people there’s nothing wrong here and there’s no need for panic."

Since 9/11 sales of the small gadgets has skyrocketed. They're now in constant production at this Gonzalas Texas plant. While most people don’t see the vineyard as a terrorist hot spot - - many welcome the extra protection

Tourist
"I would want to know I think its a good thing."

Tourist
"If it’s for public safety and its a minimal cost than why not"

The cost is minimal; just under 200 dollars each. However many people say you can't put a price on being prepared in paradise.... Dan Hausle 7 news