Sources: Homeland Security Recommends Canceling Color Coded Terror Alerts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Government officials say the Homeland Security Department is recommending to the White House that the color-coded terror alert system be replaced with a more descriptive way to tell the public about threats.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the plan hasn't been finalized and other government agencies, including the White House, need to sign off on the proposal.

By scrapping the colors, President Barack Obama would be abandoning a system that critics say is too vague to be useful.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (neh-pahl-ih-TAN'-oh) ordered a review of the system in July 2009. The proposal is unrelated to the furor over new airport security pat-downs and body scans.