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Explosives in Postal Mail Boxes
Burrus Update #10-02, May 6, 2002
The union has been in close contact with the Postal Service, through a series of teleconferences since Friday, May 3, 2002. Since the last update, four additional bombs were found in rural areas of Nebraska. None of those bombs exploded and no injures were reported. The bombs found in Nebraska were similar to those found in Iowa and Illinois. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the Postal Inspectors are investigating. None of the bombs went through the mail; they were deposited directly in the rural boxes.
The Inspection Service has described the explosive devices as 3/4 inch steel pipes with a 9-volt battery attached. A plastic bag containing a letter with anti-government propaganda accompanied the devices. In every case the explosive devices were placed directly into customer mailboxes by the person or persons responsible for theses crimes. Again, these devices did not move through the mail. According to the Postal Inspection Service, there is no reason to suspect collection boxes are at risk.
The postal employees and customers that were injured were released and are recovering from their injuries. The injuries were reported as "non-life threatening."
The Postal Service has issued mandatory safety stand-up talks that are to be given to all employees. Copies are posted on the APWU web page. All employees are urged to be alert and vigilant. Be aware of your surrounding inside and outside facilities and in and around vehicles. If you see a suspicious parcel, package, letter, or item do not disturb it or touch it. Contact a supervisor or law enforcement immediately.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
William Burrus
President
