Suspicious Packages
To make the University community aware of potential threats, the Penn Police have issued the following guidelines and suggestions about identifying and handling potentially dangerous packages. This in response to the two threatening packages that were received last Thursday--one sent to Vice Provost for Research Ralph Amado in College Hall and the other to an office in the Law School. Although the arrival of the suspicious package in College Hall prompted a 30-minute evacuation, no one was hurt in either of last Thursday's incidents which are being handled by the Penn Police detectives in conjunction with the Philadelphia Police and the U.S. Postal Service.
Tell-Tale Signs of Possible Explosive Devices
- Restricted endorsements: "Personal or Private"
- Addressee's name/title may be inaccurate
- Return address may be fictitious
- Distorted handwriting/cut and paste label lettering
- Protruding wires/aluminum foil, or oil stains
- Emits a peculiar odor
- Cancellation/Postmark different location than return address
- Excessive postage
- Letter bombs may feel rigid/appear uneven or lopsided
- Pressure or resistance may be noted when removing contents from an envelope/parcel
- May say Handle with Care or Rush-Do Not Delay
- Buzzing or ticking noise or a sloshing sound
Workplace Response Procedures
- Do not open the article
- Isolate the letter/package
- Evacuate immediate area
- Call Public Safety: 511 Exchange
- Do not turn light switches on or off
- Do not dispatch or key-up a radio
- Await Public Safety and PPD
Bomb Threats
- Write information down immediately
- Note caller's "tone" of voice
- Background noises
- Always try to find out:
- Where is the bomb?
- When will it go off?
- What kind of bomb is it?
- Notify your supervisor immediately
To schedule a presentation on Handling suspicious packages and Bomb Threats please contact Tamika Williams via e-mail at Willia17@pobox.upenn.edu or (215) 898-4484.
Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 13, November 23/30, 1999