Terrorism & Letter Bomb Safety - The Police Notebook

04-28-97 08-14-95
		Updated: March 20th, 2008 NATIONAL LINKS TO HELP KEEP YOU INFORMED! In our post-9/11 world many people are concerned with possible terrorist threats, including anthrax, explosive-mail and other terrorist incidents in the U.S. — We've added this "header" section to our regular "Bombs By Mail" webpage (below) to help give you links to the most recent online news, safety, preparedness, and reference information on key, up-to-date, domestic terrorism related websites... Click here for U.S. DHS's new READY.GOV website. A great new preparedness website to help you -- "make a kit, make a plan, and stay informed!" GET THE POSTER HERE! Click here for a new printable (.pdf) mail safety poster from the FBI Click here for Oklahoma City FBI Field Office's local "Most Wanted Fugitives and Kidnapping/Missing Persons". Click here for a menu of the latest U.S Postal Service news releases regarding Security of the Mail. What's the current Advisory Level? Homeland Security Advisory System Click here for the new "Homeland Security Advisory System" at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. Click here for a list of Consumer Protection links at the U.S. FIRSTGOV website. Click HERE for the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security website. Be a Cyber Secure Citizen! Click HERE for online security tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance! Click HERE for Stay Safe Online's 8 Cyber Security Practices To Stay Safe Online Click HERE for information on cyber security from DHS. Are You Ready? ... An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness (FEMA Publication) Click HERE for a make-a-kit "supplies checklist" from READY.GOV. Click HERE for a brochure on making a Family Disaster Supplies Kit from the American Red Cross in association with FEMA. (.PDF-format) Need help viewing .PDF-format documents? Click HERE! Be sure and read this article... Food and Water in an Emergency by the American Red Cross (100kb .PDF file) Click HERE for an EXCELLENT general list for a home "Disaster Supplies Kit", from the American Red Cross, in web browser-friendly HTML format, or view the printer-friendly brochure HERE in .PDF format. Download a copy today! "ARE YOU READY? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness" brings together facts on disaster survival techniques, disaster-specific information, and how to prepare for and respond to both natural and man-made disasters. As the most comprehensive guide to personal emergency preparedness published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), "ARE YOU READY? " will help individuals prepare themselves and their families for disasters. Revised, updated, and enhanced in August 2004, "ARE YOU READY? " provides a step-by-step outline on how to prepare a disaster supply kit, emergency planning for people with disabilities, how to locate and evacuate to a shelter, and even contingency planning for family pets. Man-made threats from hazardous materials and terrorism are also treated in detail. The guide details opportunities for every citizen to become involved in safeguarding their neighbors and communities through FEMA's Citizen Corps ( www.citizencorps.gov ) initiative and Community Emergency Response Team training program. Click HERE for the Citizen Corps website --where you'll find information on public education, training, and volunteer opportunities to support community and family safety. Volunteer for America! CITIZEN PREPAREDNESS PUBLICATIONS Click HERE for descriptions and links to various Citizen Corps "Citzen Preparedness Publications" including planning checklists and disaster supplies recommendations. Want to volunteer for America? Click HERE for info about the USA Freedom Corps! Or, check out the websites for the Peace Corps, Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps for other service opportunities. Planning a trip? Visit the U.S. Customs & Border Protection online brochure, "Know Before You Go!" Travel Security —Visit the Transportation Safety Administration's (TSA) website for information and tips for travelers and consumers, including holiday season travel tips. A "must visit" traveler's site, particularly for anyone traveling by air. Leaving the U.S.? -See the State Dept.'s page for "Travel Warnings & Consular Information Sheets". Be Aware! Be Prepared! Travel Safely! Condition Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Green... Across the country are questions of, "What does a CONDITION ‘YELLOW’ mean to me or my family? or, "What does this mean to my business or school?" Click HERE for great recommendations from the American Red Cross! NEW! Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations Click HERE for Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations for your FAMILY from the Amercian Red Cross! Click HERE for WWW.DISASTERHELP.GOV is designed to assist victims of disasters in locating the resources they need. NEW! Click HERE to go to the U.S. State Department's "Response to Terrorism -- Issues of International Security" website. NEW! Food Supply Safety Click HERE for numerous government links to advice on countering bioterrorism and other threats to the FOOD SUPPLY from www.FoodSafety.gov. USDA Employee Information Center Click HERE to jump to the FBI's homepage. Click here... to jump to the FBI's WAR ON TERRORISM webpage. Click here for the Most Wanted Terrorists list. Click here for U.S. Postal Service "Mailroom Security" training modules and information which you can view online. Click here for the "Best Practices for Mail Center Security" guide from the USPS. Click here for U.S. Postal Service poster, "Some Things Were Never Meant To Be Mailed" --Aviation Mail Security and Hazardous Materials. Click HERE to vist the Southwest Center for Public Health Preparedness at the OU Health Sciences Center. The Bioterrorism Act of 2002 Click HERE for the FDA's Bioterrorism Act of 2002. Click here for the State of Oklahoma Bioterrorism Update Page from the Oklahoma State Department of Health's Bioterrorism Preparedness Divsion. Click here for the main CDC's (Centers for Disease Control) main Anthrax information and links page. Click here for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department website. Click here for CDC Interim Recommendations for Protecting Workers from Exposure to Bacillus anthracis in Work Sites Where Mail Is Handled or Processed, Oct. 31, 2001, from the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Click here for a CDC "Anthrax FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) page. Click here for a CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response page for "Mail Handlers". Click here for "The Oklahoma Chapter of Infragard" (InfraGard is an information sharing cooperative undertaking between the U.S. Government [led by the FBI and the NIPC] and an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to increasing the security of United States critical infrastructures.). Click here for the national "Infragard " website. Click here for a list of bio-terrorism news items from the CDC. En Español This page provides news and facts on Anthrax, Plague, Radiation Emergencies, Sarin Nerve Gas, Smallpox, Tularemia, Hurricanes, and Power Outages and the related news. Download the new Mail Alert poster! The U.S. Postal Service has published a new color poster regarding how to handle suspicious mail. Click here to view a large copy of it here, online, in JPG format. Click HERE to download a printable PDF copy from their website!. In addtion to the special links above, please review our primary "Bombs by Mail" article from the U.S. Postal Service, below: The likelihood of your ever receiving a bomb in the mail is remote. Unfortunately, however, a small number of explosive devices have been mailed over the years resulting in death, injury, and destruction of property. What can you do to help prevent a mail bomb disaster? First, consider whether you or your organization could be a possible target. Some motives for mail bombs include revenge, extortion, love triangles, terrorism, and business disputes. Keep in mind that a bomb can be enclosed in either a package or an envelope, and its outward appearance is limited only by the imagination of the bomber. However, some unique characteristics of mail bombs may assist the identification of a suspect mailing. To apply these characteristics, it is important to know the type of mail your organization or your home receives. Mail bombs may bear restricted endorsements such as "Personal" or "Private." These characteristics are important when the addressee does not usually receive personal mail at the office. Addressee's name or title may be inaccurate. Return address may be ficticious or not available. Mail bombs may have distorted handwriting or the name and address may be prepared with homemade labels or cut-and-paste lettering. Mail bombs may have protruding wires, aluminum foil, or oil stains and may emit a peculiar odor. Cancellation or postmark may show a different location than the return address. Mail bombs may have excessive postage. Letter bombs may feel rigid, or appear uneven or lopsided. Package bombs may be unprofessionally wrapped with several combinations of tape used to secure the package and may be endorsed "Fragile-Handle With Care" or "Rush-Do Not Delay." Package bombs may have an irregular shape, soft spots, or bulges. Package bombs may make a sloshing sound. Although placed devices may buzz or tick, mailed bombs generally do not. Pressure or resistance may be noted when removing contents from an envelope or package. IF YOU ARE SUSPICIOUS OF A MAILING AND ARE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE CONTENTS WITH THE ADDRESSEE OR SENDER: DO NOT OPEN. Isolate the mailing and evacuate the immediate area. Do not put it in water or a confined space such as a desk drawer or filing cabinet. If possible, open windows in the immediate area to assist in venting potential explosive gases. If you have any reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious, do not take a chance or worry about possible embarrassment if the item turns out to be innocent-instead, contact your local police department and Postal Inspector for professional assistance. LETTER PACKAGE BOMB INDICATORS If you are suspicious of a mailing and are unable to verify the contents with the addressee or sender: DO NOT OPEN. TREAT IT AS SUSPECT. ISOLATE IT. CALL YOUR POSTAL INSPECTOR. CALL THE POLICE. Indicators for Letters: RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS POSTMARK CITY DIFFERENT FROM RETURN ADDRESS CITY EXCESSIVE POSTAGE MISSPELLED WORDS ADDRESSED TO TITLE ONLY RIGID OR BULKY BADLY TYPED OR WRITTEN FICTITIOUS, UNFAMILIAR, OR NO RETURN ADDRESS Indicators for Packages: FICTITIOUS, UNFAMILIAR, OR NO RETURN ADDRESS STRANGE ODOR LOPSIDED OILY STAINS ON WRAPPING WRONG TITLE WITH NAME PROTRUDING WIRES The "Bombs By Mail" section of this document was prepared from material published by the U.S. Postal Service. For a new "mailroom-oriented" Suspicious Mail POSTER, click here (8.5x11 in PDF format). Download New Mail Alert Poster! The U.S. Postal Service has published a new color poster regarding how to handle suspicious mail. Click here to view a large copy of it here, online, in JPG format. On the OU Campus or in Norman, OK, call 911 if you have any reason to believe a letter or package is suspicious. If you have questions regarding letter bomb safety specific to the OU Norman Campus, contact the OUPD Crime Prevention Unit at 325-2864, or send e-mail to Crime Prevention (OUPD CRIME PREVENTION).

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