Washington Township acting chief provides guidelines for handling suspicious mail.
By: Ken Weingartner
WASHINGTON Police officials on Monday said they have received "several inquiries" about anthrax-contaminated mail, and this week released general guidelines for handling suspicious letters or packages.
Acting Chief Robert Woodruff said none of the calls received by the department resulted in positive tests for the bacteria.
In a release, the Police Department said dried bacterial agents, including anthrax, tend to be amber or brown in color. However, another color doesn’t indicate the substance is harmless.
Officials said to look for dust, powder, stains, discolorations, residues, liquid, solid material and/or foreign objects on packages or mail. Be alert for unusual odors, but don’t "sniff" packages.
Acting Chief Woodruff said anyone who receives suspicious mail should isolate and secure the item, covering it to reduce chance of contamination. No attempt should be made to move or transport the item and 911 should be called immediately.
"We don’t mind," acting Chief Woodruff said. "That’s what we’re here for. We’d rather they call and find out it’s nothing. We don’t mind checking out false alarms that’s our job."
Area residents appear more worried about the threat of anthrax after authorities said Monday a letter sent to the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle that tested positive for the bacteria was postmarked from Trenton.
It was the second letter containing anthrax spores that was postmarked from Trenton. Last week, an NBC employee in New York was infected with a skin form of anthrax, which is not believed to be fatal. Both letters were sent on Sept. 18, one week after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon, authorities said.
As of Monday, a dozen people in New York and Florida had tested positive for the bacteria after receiving suspicious packages. In addition, two employees at the Trenton Post Office on Monday were being tested for exposure to anthrax.
Acting Chief Woodruff said residents should remain calm.
"Like (President Bush) said, just go on with life," he said. "Be cautious, be suspicious of things, but live your everyday life."
As of Oct. 7, the Police Department has been on "active alert." Acting Chief Woodruff said officers have increased patrols around schools, the municipal complex, houses of worship, the Trenton-Robbinsville Airport, the water towers and two propane companies in the township.
He said patrols are checking local businesses more frequently, too.
"People seem to be pretty accepting of what’s going on," he said. "They’re trying to get through one day at a time. This is what (the terrorists) want. They want to scare us, upset our quality of life. We have to not let them do it."

