Suspicious Packages: A Sign of the Times

Ten years ago a box at the post office was, well, just a box to be mailed. A gym bag on the sidewalk was a forgotten bag that someone left behind while in a rush to get to his or her destination. Today a box is suspicious and a duffle box is a bomb. No, I am not kidding.

Almost a year and a half ago I received a call from my sister at a fairly late hour, for her anyway. She wanted to know if I heard about the bomb scare in the town in which I grew up, just five miles from where I reside now. I had not yet known about the issue so I immediately pulled it up on the internet.

As I am 'googling' my sister proceeds to tell me the story of her day. After work she realized she had some Avon products that needed to be returned. As a representative for Avon she has a deadline in which she can return items for credit. In accordance with Avon's 100% money back guarantee if a customer is not satisfied, she was running out of time.

She threw the items in a box, attached a label, and headed over to the post office a mile away from her home. The post office was already closed. She figured she could set the box between the outside drop off boxes and it would be fine. Considering it is a small town with a low crime rate she figured the box would be safe until the evening pickup.

She said she thought for a second about leaving the package there like that, but again decided it was okay because it was addressed to Avon and it had her return address on it. Why would there be a problem?

Someone, more than likely an upstanding citizen, called the police and reported that there was a suspicious box sitting at the post office. The police station is next door to the post office so response time was minimal. The bomb squad was called into action and half the town was shut down.

An apartment complex across the street and an elderly housing unit were evacuated. In the midst of all the excitement, my sister would hear what is going on and call the police. She explained it was her package and what was inside.

The bomb squad proceeded with their high tech robot and x-ray and would determine the package to be safe, just as my sister said.

Since she lived so close she decided to go over to the post office to assure everyone she is not a criminal, a terrorist, or a person that would even know how to make a bomb. With all that said, she isn't dumb either. If she were to put a bomb, in a box, at the post office, she wouldn't put her name on it. Which is beside the point here.

Now we will fast forward to yesterday.

A few miles from my mother-in-law's house is a town named Lititz. The town is about an hour from where I reside, but still I consider it a bit close to home when it comes to bombs.

Breaking news comes across the television. Suspicious package in Lancaster County, duffel bag outside the bank, update at 11. I said to my husband that I would bet $100 that a child or teenager forgot their bag and it is probably full of sweaty, stinky gym clothes.

We proceed to debate the issue. He made a good point when he said 'ya just never know anymore'. I still stood my ground that I doubted it was a bomb.

A few hours later the police would find a notebook, a paperback book, and clothing in the red duffel bag. It was a great I told you so moment for me.

Maybe it was because the bag was between two banks. Maybe it was because it looked 'funny'. I do not know but I think that the over reaction of people and law enforcement is a little over the top.

I know there are going to be critics to this, and most of them will either be from or near a very large city. We need to be logical and realistic here for just ten minutes.

There is no arguing the fact that ten years ago the box would have been mailed as normal and the duffel bag would have been added to a lost and found somewhere never to see its owner again.

Why is every package without an immediately apparent owner suspicious? Is the crime rate up? Is it because of 9/11? Are the police bored? Is it good practice for the bomb squad? Is everyone just scared?

I do not have that answer, but I do have one observation. I think since 9/11 people all across the country have been on edge. I think everyone fears the worst, when we used to never think about it much at all.

Shortly after 9/11 a friend of mine cancelled a vacation flight. She had a new fear of flying and claimed she would never fly again. Personally, I would have flown the very next day. I think the day after 9/11 would have been the safest time to fly. Security was up, terrorists were scattering to hiding spots, pilots were alert, and flight attendants were observant. I am not saying they are not now, or prior to 9/11, but the following days they were at their peak.

Years later the country is still on edge. Everyone now watches what they say on the phone, and people report items that are nothing more than lost as suspicious packages.

The best reaction is no reaction. Those who caused this edginess to this country love it. Every time they hear of a suspicious package reported that is later found to be nothing they know that they have won. Aside from the horror of 9/11, and yes my deepest sympathies go out to all affected, they win because the entire country, even small towns with no crime at all, run in fear of an Avon box at the post office.

Maybe I am the one overreacting, but I am entitled to my opinion, as is everyone. There are many instances where every precaution is necessary even when the package turns out to be safe and empty. But to lock down half a town, half a city, businesses, and evacuate homes because of suspicious packages that are not all that suspicious is ridiculous.

Before you message me and comment sit back and think for just a few seconds. A box, with an addressee and an addressor, at a post office, and with postage attached: is that really suspicious enough to call in a bomb squad? The duffel bag, it was only suspicious because it was between two banks, otherwise it would have been taken in to lost and found and no one would have ever heard about it.

I know there are troubles. I know there is a war. I know people are bombing each other and killing each other. But seriously Mr. Law Enforcement, calm down on unsuspicious looking suspicious packages. Not every package is a bomb waiting to go off.

You can read more about each of the above stories using these links.

Post Office Suspicious Package

Duffel Bag Suspicious Package

I warn you, though, there is not much to read.