FOURTH OF JULY Nation isn't as fearful

Even in New York, fewer police officers will be out.
NEW YORK (AP) -- The nation spent last Independence Day in the shadow of Sept. 11, 2001, and under the heavily armed guard of police. This year, many Americans can expect to see fewer officers, bomb-sniffing dogs and security fences in what law enforcement officials call a return to a more normal holiday.
Strained budgets are limiting police presence and security tactics in many jurisdictions. Other cities are not bringing in extra officers because the federal terror alert is expected to stay at yellow, the middle level on a five-color scale.
Police in St. Louis will cordon off the Gateway Arch, but they won't bring back a fence meant to stop terrorists from swimming up the Mississippi River.
In Oregon, Portland police and state troopers said they planned no special precautions beside the extra patrols they always deploy on holidays.
For Polk County, Iowa, where Des Moines is located, Chief Sheriff's Deputy Bill Vaughn said, "It's pretty much business as usual."
"I think people just need to get out and enjoy the holiday," Vaughn said. "I wouldn't let world affairs cause anybody to cower in fear or to become a recluse."
In New York
Even in New York, there will be fewer officers on the streets this year than last. Instead, more interlocking metal barriers will be used to control crowds, police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
"We've already gone through one Fourth of July. There's a more relaxed atmosphere," Kelly said.
While intelligence analysis has revealed no particular threats over the holiday weekend to either the city or New York state, Kelly cautioned that police won't be letting down their guard.
There will still be about 7,000 officers on duty, slightly fewer than last year but about 4,200 more than on a normal weekend. Overtime for the patrol officers and special counter-terror units could end up costing the city $700,000 each day of the holiday weekend, Kelly said.
St. Louis is keeping a handle on its budget by prohibiting officers from taking vacation time over the holiday so it can fully staff events without spending money on overtime.
In Niagara Falls, N.Y., budget constraints will keep staffing at normal levels over the weekend, Deputy Chief John DeMarco said. State parks police will be out in force around the falls because of an influx of tourists, not terror threats.
More relaxed
Many Americans are more relaxed about the upcoming Fourth, not overly worried about terrorism.
"I'm not extremely worried about national security," said Jonathan Dewey, a college student in Boston. "I think if everyone's paranoid, it just ruins the party."