Mail sorting safety and the attention, technology required to detect suspicious packages
Federal investigators continue their massive manhunt into who sent 10 mail bombs to prominent Democrats and others, and they have a lot of evidence to guide them.
Preventing a slew of successful bombings was not an accident, not by a long shot. A lot of technology went into the interception of the package bombs as did a lot of good luck and attention paid to the unusual.
This is true of the post office and private carriers.
“I'm incredibly impressed with the FBI and whoever else was behind the interception of these packages before they got to the intended targets,” said postal customer Andy Saniako.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, currently muzzled from interviews, sent this statement:
"We strive to provide a safe and secure mail system, preserve the integrity of the mail, and, most importantly, ensure a safe environment for postal employees, Postal Service customers, and the American public."
Postal Inspectors issue mail room posters and manuals to help personnel identify suspicious packages including a) lack of a return address, b) restricted delivery marking such as "personal', c) misspelled words, d) poorly written or typed addresses, e) excessive taping, f) excessive postage, g) foreign stamps or h) oil like stains.
The guilty are subject to a massive investigation. One postal customer who actually blames Cable News Network.
"CNN is causing a lot of fake news and they do a lot of propaganda and this is another stunt they're up to. I think they want to sabotage Trump because they're doing everything they can to get the Democratic Party back in hold," said Steve Lucas.
Others blame another. "If it's politically motivated, I lay the entire thing at the feet of our president and the current administration and the atmosphere of fear and loathing he has created," said postal customer Saniako.
The more science based and sophisticated the detection methods are, the more tools there are for mail handlers to protect recipients.