Around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 Corban University alerted students of a potential threat at the entrance of campus. However, this bomb scare ended up being just that: a scare.
According to Officer Zohner of the Salem Police Department, the package had been reported several hours prior to their arrival. When the officers arrived, they approached the package at a distance, like they do with all suspicious packages, and then called in bomb technicians.
Interviewed at the scene as bomb technicians worked, Zohner said, “[They] took a look at it, figured out that it’s not supposed to be there … there is no reason for it to be there. It just looks suspicious.”
While he didn’t get a close look at the box he reported that it was “a little smaller than a shoe box, gray in color and plastic-sided.”
By 6 p.m. Corban students began receiving emails and phone calls reporting that the scene was clear and that there was no danger.
As it turns out, a student came forward and said he put the package there. Zohner asked that the student remain nameless.
Earlier in the day the student saw the box fall off the back of a Campus Care vehicle and went to take a look at it. Thinking that the workers would notice it was missing and come back for it, he placed it in the flowerbed of the entrance sign and left.
After returning from track practice and seeing the commotion, the student approached the police and described the box in detail. At that point bomb technicians were x-raying the box and were able to confirm his report.
And what was in the little box that caused such a big commotion? Washer nuts and outlet covers.
Michael Roth says
If you discover an unopened package looks suspicious and you cannot verify the contents with either the owner, addressee or the sender:
IF UNOPENED, DO NOT OPEN THE ARTICLE!
ISOLATE the package and assume control by:
o LEAVING it alone (do not move or touch it); if you are holding it, put it down on a hard, flat surface;
o ENSURING no one else comes in contact with it;
o ADVISING anyone who has come in contact with the package or substance not to brush powder or liquid off of their clothing or person, keep their hands away from their face and wash their hands, if possible, without leaving the area. (Keep a list of these people.);
o SECURING all doors and access points (stairwells, hallways) that lead to the area where the package is situated. Minimize contact with unnecessary objects as much as possible (Have someone else open doors for you if possible);
o TURNING OFF any fans, heaters, or equipment that is circulating air inside the immediate area.
o EVACUATE the immediate area to a safe distance. (300 feet minimum.)
o WASH your hands with soap and water immediately if you have been in contact with a suspicious package or its contents (avoid touching anything, especially your face).
o REPORT all incidents as soon as possible to Campus Safety at: 503-510-6430 (Please program this number into your phone if you haven’t done so already.)
WHERE DANGER IS IMMINENT AND IMMEDIATE
INTERVENTION IS REQUIRED, CALL 911
THEN ADVISE THE CAMPUS SAFETY OFFICE.
o DO NOT USE RADIOS OR CELLULAR PHONES when near a suspicious package.
o REMAIN in a nearby but safe location until a campus safety or emergency representative arrives and await further instructions. Do not share incident information with individuals not directly affected.
o After assessing the situation, the campus safety or emergency representative will contact the necessary agencies/authorities.