Nation IN BRIEF : MONTANA : Security Beefed Up Around ‘Freemen’

Authorities locked in a standoff with the “freemen” brought in reinforcements in case of violence on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and Waco, Texas, disasters. The move was prompted by concern that outside supporters of the freemen--about 18 of whom remained holed up at a farm near Jordan, Mont.--would arrive and cause trouble, said Carol Hellyer, a Garfield County sheriff’s dispatcher. Authorities would not disclose the number of extra officers brought in, but Hellyer said they included sheriff’s deputies from three other counties. “There has been no specific incident . . . just the concerns of local residents,” Hellyer said.