Maryland Residents Urged to be Vigilant

A series of letters containing an unknown (white) powder have been delivered to public schools in Washington, D.C.  Tests have not found any toxic substance to date.  Official s feel it is an effort to instill fear and disrupt the daily lives of those who receive these packages/mail.

For info, etc:

In light of the death of Osama Bin Laden, The Maryland Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with Maryland Law Enforcement agencies, has recommended the following protective action and awareness recommendations to all Maryland residents.

The law enforcement intelligence community has assessed that the death of al-Qa’ida (AQ) leader Osama Bin Ladin could result in retaliatory attacks in the Homeland and against US and Western interests overseas and therefore not only Maryland, but all US citizens should remain at a heightened state of vigilance.

Police and First Responders emphasize citizens should remain alert and aware at all times. If You See Something/Say Something   -  REPORT any and all suspicious behaviors and situations to local law enforcement.  The If You See Something, Say Something campaign underscores the concept that homeland security begins with hometown security where an alert public plays a critical role in keeping our nation safe.
Report Homeland Security threats to the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center at 1-800-492-TIPS.

Police and emergency management officials ask that citizens familiarize themselves with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)—a robust terrorism advisory system that provides timely information to the public about credible terrorist threats and replaces the former color-coded alert system. The National Terrorism Advisory System will provide the American public with information about credible threats so that they can better protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Citizens can find information on the new terror alert system here.

The Department of Homeland Security does not intend to issue an NTAS alert at this time. DHS has been clear since announcing NTAS in January that they will only issue alerts when they have specific or credible information to convey to the American public.

NTAS alerts provide a concise summary of the potential threat including geographic region, mode of transportation, or critical infrastructure potentially affected by the threat, actions being taken to ensure public safety, as well as recommended steps that individuals, communities, business and governments can take to help prevent, mitigate or respond to a threat.  NTAS Alerts will include a clear statement on the nature of the threat, which will be defined in one of two ways:

· “Elevated Threat”: Warns of a credible terrorist threat against the United States
· “Imminent Threat”: Warns of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the United States

Depending on the nature of the threat, alerts may be sent to law enforcement, distributed to affected areas of the private sector, or issued more broadly to the public through both official and social media channels—including a designated DHS webpage (www.dhs.gov/alerts), Facebook, and via Twitter @NTASAlerts. 

Remember….Be Alert…..If You See something….Say Something…..

http://www.usps.com/news/2001/press/mailsecurity/security.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a2.htm

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/