Bomb Threat

If you receive a bomb threat:

Listen carefully.
Be polite and show interest.
Do not interrupt the caller.
Keep the caller talking as long as possible to gather more information. Ask the caller to repeat the message.
Advise the caller that the building is occupied and innocent people may be injured or worse.
If you can, give a note to a coworker asking them to notify UPD. Or notify UPD and your supervisor immediately after hanging up.
Do not discuss the threat with other employees. (You may compromise an investigation by inadvertently revealing critical information.)
Use this guide to document the details of the incident.

Remain calm. Listen carefully. Try to obtain the following information:

When is the bomb going to explode?
Where was the bomb placed?
What kind of bomb is it?
What does the bomb look like?
Why did you place the bomb?

Note the following:

Date and time of call
Apparent age and sex of caller
Accent, speech pattern
Emotional state
Background noise or sounds that may reveal caller’s location

If You Receive a Suspicious Letter or Package:

No return address
Possibly mailed from a foreign country
Excessive postage
Misspelled words
Addressed to title only or incorrect title with name
Badly typed or written
Protruding wires
Lopsided or uneven distribution of contents
Rigid or bulky
Strange odor
Excessive tape or string
Oily stains

What Should You Do?

Handle with care -- don’t shake or bump
Isolate and look for indicators
Don’t open, smell or taste
Treat it as suspicious! Call UPD at 911

If parcel is open and/or a threat is identified:

BOMB – Evacuate immediately. Call UPD at 911
RADIOLOGICAL – Limit exposure – don’t handle. Evacuate. Call 911
BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL –Isolate – Don’t handle. Evacuate. Call UPD at 911. Wash hands.

You know your own work routine and environment better than anyone. Objects that are clearly out of place or that match the profile of suspicious letters and packages described above may potentially contain explosive devices (this also may include briefcases or attaché cases, packages left unattended etc.). Use your best judgment, but if you are in doubt report any object that raises suspicion in your mind to the University Police Department.

Did you know?

Marketing & Communications
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0005
408.924.1166