Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Handle Suspicious Package

How to Recognize and Handle a Suspicious Package or Envelope

Some characteristics of suspicious packages and envelopes include the following:

Inappropriate or unusual labeling

  • Excessive postage

  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses

  • Misspellings of common words

  • Strange return address or no return address

  • Incorrect titles or title without a name

  • Not addressed to a specific person

  • Marked with restrictions, such as "Personal," "Confidential," or "Do not x-ray"

  • Marked with any threatening language

  • Postmarked from a city or state that does not match the return address

Appearance

  • Powdery substance felt through or appearing on the package or envelope

  • Oily stains, discolorations, or odor

  • Lopsided or uneven envelope

  • Excessive packaging material such as masking tape, string, etc.

Other suspicious signs

    Excessive weight

    Ticking sound

    Protruding wires or aluminum foil

Handling of Suspicious Packages or Envelopes

If a package or envelope appears suspicious, DO NOT OPEN IT!

  • Don't panic.

  • Notify a supervisor or a campus safety officer!

  • Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious package or envelope.

  • Do not carry the package or envelope, show it to others or allow others to examine it.

  • Put the package or envelope down on a stable surface; do not sniff, touch, taste, or look closely at it or at any contents that may have spilled.

  • Alert others in the area about the suspicious package or envelope. Leave the area, close any doors, and take actions to prevent others from entering the area. If possible, shut off the ventilation system.

  • WASH hands with soap and water to prevent spreading potentially infectious material to face or skin. Seek additional instructions for exposed or potentially exposed persons.

  • Create a list of persons who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized and a list of persons who also may have handled this package or letter. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials .

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After the suspicious envelope/package has been removed -
Do's and Don'ts.

Do remain alert to similar mail packages or other packages that may meet a number of the criteria listed above in the same batch of mail or in subsequent deliveries. If someone intends to inflict harm, they may be clever enough to send packages through the mail that don't look alike! AL WAYS remain alert to the possibility that a subsequent mail/package could come through the mail after a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months.

Do keep surgical-type protective gloves immediately available to your mailroom operation. Also have a supply of gallon-size, sealable, plastic bags (freezer bags are better because they have a greater thickness) immediately available for your campus safety supervisor, administrator, or law enforcement official to use to seal the item for transport. Also keep a supply of heavy-ply trash bags and their fasteners available for larger packages.

Don't speculate about the contents of the suspicious mail/package. You could start a rumor that has no basis in fact and alarm the campus community unnecessarily.


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College of the Canyons

Valencia campus:

(661) 259-7800

• 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Canyon Country campus:

(661) 362-3800

• 17200 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91351


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