![]() ![]() Inform management and security that a suspicious item has been detected by the screening process. Isolate the area where the mailpiece was found-do not touch it.Īlert employees that a suspicious letter or package has been found, what the points of recognition are, and to remain clear of the isolation area. What should the mail center security coordinator do after encountering a suspicious letter or package during screening?įirst, follow your local established protocols.Īsk the employee who found the suspicious letter or package to write down the specific recognition point in the screening process that caused the alert (excessive postage, no return address, rigid or bulky, lopsided or uneven appearance, strange odor, protruding wires, oily stains, discolorations, excessive tape, etc.). Don’t open the mailpiece until verification proves it’s harmless.The security office should attempt to contact the sender.If you don’t recognize the return address, contact the security office.Remind employees: If you’re not expecting a letter or package, be suspicious. What should employees do if they receive an unexpected mailpiece?īecause of the increased sophistication of letter or package bombs and placed devices, fewer bombs can be readily identified by examining the exterior of a mailpiece. Notify police and the fire department immediately.Ask corporate and security management to decide on the proper response, such as evacuation.Write down the threat verbatim, using the caller’s own words, and record any other information.Keep the caller on the line, ask him or her to repeat the message several times, and gather more information, such as caller ID.If so, the person receiving the call may be able to obtain useful information before the caller ends the conversation. The bomber’s intentions may be to damage property, not to injure or kill anyone. For that reason, your receptionist or others who take calls from the public should be trained to remain calm and to solicit as much information as possible. Phone threats offer an opportunity to obtain more detailed information, perhaps even the caller’s identity. What about bomb threats received by phone? All circumstances of their receipt should be recorded. Written threats and any envelopes in which they are received should be placed under clear plastic covers. Written threats provide physical evidence that must be protected from contamination. What about bomb threats received in writing? They should be trained in the Bomb Threat Response Plan. Corporate management should ensure the mail center security coordinator and alternate are mature, responsible, and emotionally stable. Postal Inspectors recommend including the mail center manager, or a designee, as a member of the group that develops your Bomb Threat Response Plan. What are the roles and responsibilities of the mail center security coordinator relative to letter and package bomb safety? Conduct unannounced tests of mail center personnel.Train mail center, security, and management staff to validate all phases of your letter and package bomb-screening program. ![]() Establish procedures for isolating suspicious letters and packages.Develop procedures for confirming the contents of suspicious letters and packages identified through screening.Develop handling procedures for items identified as suspicious and dangerous.Develop screening procedures for all incoming letter and package deliveries.Establish lines of communication between the mail center security coordinator, management, and the security office.Appoint a mail center security coordinator and an alternate to be responsible for your screening plan and to ensure compliance.Evaluate your organization to determine if your business or an employee is a potential target.The Postal Inspection Service’s Poster 84, Suspicious Mail or Packages, illustrates key characteristics of a suspicious or potentially dangerous mail item.Įstablish a letter and package bomb-screening program Prominently display a list of suspicious letter and package indicators in your mailroom and provide a copy of the list to all staff to ensure they’re familiar with it. The person who first detects a suspicious letter or package is often not the intended recipient. Unfortunately, screening procedures for incoming mail and packages are not foolproof. Staff who sort mail by hand should perform the screening, as they are the ones most likely to notice a suspicious item. Screen all mail and packages for suspicious items when they first arrive at your mailroom for sorting. ![]()
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