SUSPICIOUS MAIL Police advisory

The Mercer County Chiefs of Police Association has come up with a policy for handling suspicious mail in light of the anthrax scare sweeping the country. Mail turned over to authorities for inspection will not be returned, police said, and anyone who commits an anthrax hoax will be prosecuted. Anyone getting suspicious mail should follow these instructions:
UNOPENED MAIL
Don't open the mail or package.Place mail in a plastic bag that is self-sealing so no one else can come in contact with it.Make inquiries as to the return address, sending company and packaging to determine the legitimacy of the mailing.If still leery about the mailing, contact the local police department to examine the mailing. If the recipient doesn't want to keep the mail, the police will remove it after the recipient signs an authorization to have it removed, stored and destroyed.
OPENED MAIL
If suspicious material is found in opened mail, people need to know that the material itself won't cause any immediate harm.Immediately leave the room or office and isolate the mail by not allowing anyone to enter the area.Call 911 to have local police sent to assess the situation and deal with the material according to standards issued by the FBI and Centers for Disease Control.Anyone coming in contact with the suspicious material should wash their hands and face with soap and water.Do not leave the area in case the call leads to a criminal investigation, requiring evidence to be secured and witnesses to be interviewed. Police will specify when it is safe to leave.
Source: Mercer County Chiefs of Police Association