Brownwood News – On Monday, March 19th, at approximately 4 p.m., the Early Police Department responded to the Early High School for a report of a suspicious package. Officials at the school stated they received a package by UPS and when they opened the outer shipping package it contained seven individually wrapped packages approximately 4x4x7 inches in size.

 

 

The School stated they had never received anything that looked like these packages and were not expecting anything that should be packaged in such a manner. Officers checked the return address label which indicated an electronics store in California but no business name was on the return label. The school did not show any record of an order from this location.

School had released for the day but all after school activities on campus were canceled in order to evacuate the building.

“Although it was an inconvenience for the after-school activities, the evacuation was necessary to insure the safety of the students and faculty due to the recent events and the unexplained circumstances proved that this was the only option,” Early Police Chief David Mercer explained in a press release following the incident.

The Abilene Police Department Bomb Unit responded to the high school and examined the package. An x-ray of the package was taken and examined which revealed rolls of wiring. It was determined that the package was not a threat at which time the package was opened and revealed strings of LED lights in the package.

Four package bombings in Austin in 17 days have left the Texas capital on edge.

A package believed to be bound for Austin exploded at a Texas FedEx facility early Tuesday, according to law enforcement officials. The explosion happened shortly after midnight at the facility in Schertz, Tex., just northeast of San Antonio.

It is important that the public remain vigilant and contact law enforcement immediately if they come into contact with a suspicious package.

How to Spot a Suspicious Package:

  • Poorly wrapped packages – Because suspicious packages are usually hand delivered, they aren’t held to the same standards that they would be if they were shipped. Excessive tape, strings or overall poor wrapping are a few good indicators that the package is suspicious.
  • Buzzing or ticking sound – Do not open any package that appears to be making noise, especially a buzzing or ticking noise. Call authorities immediately and stay away from the package until they arrive.
  • Inaccurate spelling – One of the most common signs of a suspicious package or letter is incorrect spelling of names, titles and locations.
  • No return address – If a package is intended to hurt you, a return address is not likely to be included. If you receive a letter or package with no return address, be wary of it.
  • Excessive postage – Another warning sign of a suspicious package is excessive postage. Because suspicious packages are often not shipped, but hand delivered, postage is randomly placed on the package to make it appear legitimate.
  • Postmarked different than return address – Double check package postmarked locations prior to opening packages. This is another sign that a package could be suspicious.

If you have determined that a package you have received is suspicious, then the next step is understanding how you should handle a suspicious package.

  • Call the authorities IMMEDIATELY.
  • Do not open, move or touch the package.
  • If you have already touched the package, do not touch your face or anyone else and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • If possible and necessary, open windows to vent the area exposed to the package.
  • Leave the immediate area in which the package is located.
  • Make a list of everyone who has touched the package.
  • Make a note of what you found to be suspicious about the package while you wait for authorities to arrive.