If you receive a suspicious letter or package:
- Do NOT handle.
- Don't shake or bump.
- Isolate immediately.
- Don't open, smell, or taste.
- Treat it as threat.
- University police at 956-882-4911.
Common features of suspicious packages:
https://about.usps.com/posters/pos84.pdf
- Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
- Have no return address or a return address that can't be verified as legitimate.
- Are marked with restrictive endorsements such as "Personal," "Confidential," or "Do Not X-ray."
- Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
- Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address.
- Are of unusual weight given their size or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
- Are marked with threatening language.
- Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
- Have excessive postage or packaging material, such as masking tape and string.
- Have misspellings of common words.
- Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
- Have incorrect titles or titles without a name.
- Are not addressed to a specific person.
- Have handwritten or poorly typed addresses.
If a package or letter is open and/or a threat is identified:
For a bomb:
- Evacuate immediately.
- Call University Police at 956-882-4911.
For radiological:
- Shield yourself from the object.
- Limit exposure - don't handle.
- Evacuate area and call University Police at 956-882-4911.
To reduce radiation exposure:
Limit time
Increase distance
Use shielding
For biological or chemical:
- Isolate - don't handle.
- Call University Police at 956-882-4911.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
Suspicious substance in a campus building:
- Clear and isolate the contaminated area. Do not touch or disturb anything.
- Call University Police at 956-882-4911.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Do not leave premises until dismissed by authorities.