Postal Service gives tips, urges awareness after TX explosions
No explosions have happened in Kansas or Missouri, but officials say they're alert
No explosions have happened in Kansas or Missouri, but officials say they're alert
No explosions have happened in Kansas or Missouri, but officials say they're alert
The US Postal Service is urging awareness after six package explosions have caused injuries and deaths in Austin, Texas.
Tuesday, a package exploded in a FedEx facility, officials say they discovered a second unexploded package in the same facility.
Paul Shade is a US Postal Inspector based in Kansas City.
"We take that job very seriously,” Shade said. “It doesn't matter if it's some sort of fraud issue or mailing narcotics through the mail."
His advice is simple.
"Don't overreact, just be cautious,” Shade said.
Bombs, like the ones seen in Texas, are unique.
"It's been a very, very long time since we've had anything of any substance,” Shade said.
Before Tuesday's explosion in a FedEx facility, none of the packages in Austin had gone through FedEx, UPS or the postal service.
"We do everything we can behind the scenes in order to be able to protect the citizens,” Shade said.
Sunday, police and fire crews in Kansas City investigated a suspicious package at 65th and Wornall. It was a false alarm, but a call to police Shade encourages.
“Don't take any chances,” he said. “You certainly want to call 911 in those instances."
The postal service won't reveal what it does to check mail but says it includes x-rays and other technology.
"Maintaining those safeguards is very important to us,” Shade said.
His advice for the public is to first check for postage.
“They need to be looking for anything that they were not expecting,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone is aware that there is a potential out there."
FedEx and UPS both said in statements they also have protections in place but said they keep those secret for safety reasons.
KCPD said it has not gotten another suspicious package call since the incident Sunday. The department plans to explain how they investigate bombs at its Thursday morning briefing.