Incursions, vandalism, and other incidents have occurred even where apparently adequate security systems have been in operation. A few general principles for reporting and otherwise handling such occurrences can be suggested.

A. Terrorism/Incursions by Armed Attackers

In such situations there may be little action one can take without risking one's own or another innocent life.

1. Try to keep calm but alert to facts that could later prove helpful to law enforcement.
2. If faced with demands by armed attackers, comply if possible and avoid antagonizing them; sudden movements can be fatal mistakes.
3. If children are involved, try to keep them calm.
4. Notify police as soon as you safely can.

B. Vandalism and Burglary

1. Immediately notify the police no matter how minor the incident. Watchful and knowledgeable persons will occasionally be able to notify the police in time for them to apprehend an offender in the act or shortly thereafter.
2. An accurate inventory of any stolen or otherwise missing articles can materially aid the police in their investigation.
3. If there is physical damage -- defacing, spray-painting, etc. -- take photographs. As soon as the police have viewed damage and photographs have been taken, have the damage repaired.
4. Apprise the police as to anything out of the ordinary in the conditions of the premises no matter how insignificant.

C. Mail Bombs

Bombs and other incendiary devices have been employed against both individuals and institutions for purposes of revenge, extortion, terrorism, and the expression of racial or religious hatred. The physical appearance of such devices is limited only by the imagination of the senders; they have been letters, books and parcels of various sizes and shapes. They have, however, exhibited unique characteristics in the majority of known instances. The first rule for security is to be thoroughly knowledgeable concerning the types of mail normally received and to be on guard against the unusual -- particularly mail (or deliveries) exhibiting these characteristics. The second is to take all possible precautions when suspicious mailings arrive.

What to look for:

• Name and title of addressee are not accurate.
• No return address, or the sender is not known to the addressee.
• Handwriting appears distorted or foreign.
• Mailing is unprofessionally wrapped, appears uneven, abnor- mally bulky or lopsided, contains bulges or soft spots.
• Poorly wrapped package is marked "Fragile -- Handle With Care," "Rush -- Do Not Delay," or has unusual restrictions such as "Personal" or "Private."
• Letters or packages show an excessive amount of postage stamps.
• Protruding wires or tinfoil.
• Package makes a buzzing or ticking noise, a sloshing sound, or emits a peculiar odor.

What to do:

• Don't open the article.Don't put it in water or in a confined space (such as a drawer or cabinet).
• Isolate the article and secure the immediate area, closing nearby doors. If possible, open windows in the immediate area to help in venting potential gases.
• Contact your local Police Departmentand Postal Inspector for professional assistance.

D. Bomb Threats

An extremely common form of harassment, particularly against religious and ethnic institutions (though also experienced by large business organizations, office buildings and schools), is the telephoned bomb threat.

In such incidents, of course, the police should be notified immediately (emergency call) and their instructions and advice should be followed.

In the case of bomb threats, any person in the building or institution (not necessarily a security officer) is a likely recipient of the phone call. Some years ago, the Denver, Colorado, Police Department developed two valuable forms for the use of the recipient of such a call. They are reproduced here, and it is recommended that they be reproduced by all organizations for their own use.

The first is a checklist to be filled out at the time of the telephoned threat as an immediate aid in the discovery of dangerous devices and the protection of lives and property.

[ Click here for Checklist ]

The second, a checklist to be filled out as soon as possible after emergency procedures have been undertaken, can be an invaluable aid in subsequent police investigations.

[ Click here for Checklist ]

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