Bomb Threats and Suspicious Packages on Campus

Bomb Threat

• Remain calm and get as much information as possible.
• If possible, signal another person and write a note explaining that the call is a bomb threat. The other person should then alert McNeese Police.

If you receive a telephoned threat, ask the caller:

• Note the exact time of the call and attempt to write down the exact words of the caller.
• When the bomb is set to explode?
• What kind of bomb it is?
• Where it is located?
• What it looks like?
• Who the caller is?
• Why are they doing this?

Fill out the Homeland Security Bomb Threat Card.pdf and give it to police upon arrival. If you receive a written bomb threat, do not handle it any more than necessary. Place it in an envelope to preserve possible fingerprints. This video, developed by the University of Central Florida, in conjunction with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Office for Bombing Prevention within the National Protection and Programs Directorate’sOffice of Infrastructure Protection, teaches viewers how to respond in the event they receive a bomb threat.  

Taken from What To Do – Bomb Threat from the Department of Homeland Security

Suspicious Packages

Suspicious packages can come in all shapes and sizes. In general terms, a suspicious package is any bag, box, backpack, package or other item left unattended or that otherwise seems out of place.  Typical characteristics of suspicious letters and packages include:

• Misspelled words.
• Arrive unexpected.
• Restrictive markings such as “Personal” or “Confidential”.
• Postmark does not match return address.
• Badly typed or written.
• Excessive postage.
• No return address.
• Wrong title or name in address.
• Excessive tape or string.
• Protruding wires.
• Strange odor.
• Crystals or powder-like residue.
• Oily stains, discolorations or crystallization on wrapping.
• Lopsided, rigid or bulky package.
• Ticking sounds