Governor and DMAPS Advise West Virginians to be Vigilant in Handling Incoming Mail

​CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In response to events involving small explosives at Maryland state government offices today, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety are reminding citizens and government employees to be vigilant and cautious of mysterious packages.

At this time, there is no reason to be alarmed or to believe that any West Virginia business, individual, organization or state agency has received a hazardous package or is in any immediate danger. However, everyone is encouraged to pay special attention to any deliveries that seem unusual and to report any suspicious activities to the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center at 1-866-WV-Watch (866 -989-2824). Any emergency situation should be directed to 9-1-1.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers the following checklist to help identify mysterious packages:

Always remain aware and look for the anomalies:

• Rigid or bulky
• Lopsided or uneven
• Wrapped in string
• Badly written or misspelled labels
• Generic or incorrect titles
• Excessive postage
• No postage
• Foreign writing, postage, or return address
• Missing, nonsensical, or unknown return address
• Leaks, stains, powders, or protruding materials
• Ticking, vibration, or other sound

The investigation into today’s events in Maryland is ongoing. Homeland security officials in West Virginia continue to be proactive in their efforts to identify and prevent any possible threats to our state.

Contact: Jacqueline Proctor, 304-558-2000