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Explosives in Postal Mail Boxes
Burrus Update #9-2002, May 3, 2002
The union has been informed that the Postal Service has once again been used by terrorists to bring harm on the American public. The information available at this time is that five rural carriers and two customers have been injured while in the act of depositing or withdrawing mail from the mailbox. The extent of their injuries is being reported as non-life threatening. Current information is that these incidents are isolated to small rural areas in the states of Iowa and Illinois. Anti-government literature has been found in the debris of the explosions.
A meeting of the union presidents, the postmaster general and the Inspection Service was held at 7 p.m. today and we were provided all available information. Mail delivery in the effected areas was halted and any mail from collection boxes is to be isolated until further instruction from law enforcement. A decision will be made tomorrow morning regarding mail delivery for Saturday, May 4, as additional information is available.
The Inspection Service has said that the explosive items were not processed or transported by postal employees but were inserted into the boxes by the terrorist The FBI has taken charge of the investigation assisted by the Postal inspection Service.
The Postal Service has prepared and distributed a mandatory safety talk that should be provided to all employees. Everyone should be vigilant, if you see a suspicious item, do not touch or move it, notify your supervisor or law enforcement immediately. Acting Chief Postal Inspector has urged employees and postal customers to take a moment to stop and look before removing mail from mailboxes.
Further information will be made available as decisions are reached and more facts are determined.
William Burrus
President
