Suspicious Packages and Letters

Biological threats targeting individuals or departments can frequently be controlled by screening of materials and by following the procedures listed below. Responding Public Safety agencies have plans in place to deal with these types of threats. Following the procedures below will activate those plans and promote the highest level of safety while minimizing the disruption associated with these incidents.

1. Mail and package delivery to each department should be screened for suspicious letters and/or packages. Common features of threat letters/packages are:

• No return address
• Handwritten or poorly typed address
• Misspelling of common words
• Restrictive markings such as "Confidential", "Personal", etc.
• Excessive weight and/or feel of a powdery or foreign substance

2. Suspicious letters and packages should not be opened and should not be handled any more than is absolutely necessary. If there is nothing leaking from the suspicious item, leave it alone and call University Police at 824-6911.

3. If you open a letter/package that claims to have contaminated you; but there is no substance seen or felt in the envelope or on the letter, chances are that you have not been contaminated. Call University Police at 824-6911 and tell them exactly what you have done and what information you have in regard to the threatening letter. They will dispatch the appropriate personnel to your location to follow up on your possible exposure and to document what has taken place. Do not handle the suspicious item any more and do NOT let anyone else handle the item.

4. If you open a letter/package that claims to have contaminated you and there is some sort of foreign substance in the envelope or package, place the letter back into the envelope/package, close it back up, and place it in a plastic bag and seal it. The person that opened the envelope package and anyone who came in contact with the envelope/package or its contents after it was opened should immediately wash their hands with soap and water. If you are covered with a significant amount of the substance, stay in the room and emergency responders will bring you some clean clothing to change into and place the contaminated clothing in a plastic trash bag. Then wash you r hands with soap and water. Call University Police at 824-6911 to report the letter/package and tell the dispatcher you have opened the letter/package, there is a substance inside, and what you have done up to that point.

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Armed Assailants and Shooting Incidents

If the situation should arise that someone has entered the campus area and started shooting, the following list of actions is recommended. Please note, that these situations are highly unpredictable and that the following guidelines are based on past experiences and best practices. Altering response may be necessary, depending on the situation.

If you hear shots, or a lock down warning or notice is received do the following:

1. Go to the nearest room, office or closet|
2. Close, lock, and barricade doors
3. Turn off radios, computer monitors and silence cell phones
4. If possible, cover the door or windows
5. Stay quiet and stay out of view. Take adequate cover/protection (concrete wall, thick desks, filing cabinets, etc.)
6. DO NOT answer the door
7. Notify Police at 911 or 824-6911 if it reasonably safe to do so
8. Give the dispatcher the following information

• Your name
• Location of incident (as specific as possible)
• Injuries (number and type)
• Number of known shooters
• Identification or description of the shooter(s)
• Type of weapon (handgun, rifle, etc.)
• Your current location
• Location of known victims

9. Place signs on exterior windows to identify the location of injured persons
10. Wait for police and/or emergency workers to assist you out of the building

Police Response

Police are trained to respond to an active shooting incident by entering the building as soon as possible and proceeding to the area of the assailant. Early in the incident it may be impossible to deliver medical treatment to victims, because the main goal is neutralizing the assailant. Try to remain as calm as possible so as not to interfere with police operations. Once the area has been secured, rescue teams will arrive to provide assistance.

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