Suspicious Parcels | Emergency Procedures

Suspicious Package or Letter Characteristics

• Carrier–delivered; lumpy, bulging, has protrusions, lopsided, heavy sided
• Suspicious company, especially if address or label is handwritten
• Package wrapped with string or twine
• Excess postage on small packages or letters
• Any foreign writing, addresses or postage
• Handwritten notes such as “To be opened in the privacy of” “Confidential” “Your lucky day is here” or “Prize enclosed”
• Improper spelling of common names, places or titles
• Generic or incorrect titles
• Leaks, stains or protruding wires, string, tape, etc.
• Hand-delivered
• No return address or nonsensical return address
• Any letter or package arriving before or after a phone call from an unknown person asking if the item was received

Possible Bomb

If you suspect an item delivered to campus may be a bomb, and you have other indicators (e.g. a received bomb threat), please follow these steps.

• Do not move the item
• Calmly notify others in the immediate area and evacuate
• If there is fire alarm pull station in your area, do not activate it
• Call 911
  • Clearly state the type of emergency to the dispatcher
  • Clearly state the location of the suspicious package or letter and your name, location and telephone number
  • Do not hang up until told to do so
  • Call CPS and let them know 911 has been called and emergency personnel are en route
  • Campus Public Safety will facilitate an evacuation of the building with assistance
  • Go to the designated assembly area for your building
  • Return to the area will be allowed only after there is an all-clear notification through CPS and/or building safety managers