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Suspicious Package Protocol

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In light of the recent mail bombs, the country has been on high alert to all suspicious packages. This is especially a concern for co-op and condo building that have building staff that handle package deliveries. More tight protocols have to be implemented to take into account this recent security concern. Management companies are implementing new procedures when accepting package deliveries. “Management company Gumley Haft, says door people and concierges at some of the company’s buildings have been instructed to call residents when a package arrives for them rather than sending the package directly to their apartments.”[1] Screening techniques are being enforced by management companies in different buildings depending on their preference. Dan Wollman, chief executive of Gumley Haft continues, “We are no longer, in certain buildings, giving the packages unless that person is called and says it’s ok to accept the package.”[2] This extra security measure might be a logistical inconvenience, but at the end of the day, safety is the priority. The New York City Police Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau is calling on the private sector to help fight and prevent terrorist threats. They have implemented a program called SHIELD, and through this program they are circulating an illustrated flier which will help building staff better identify potential suspicious packages. The illustrated flier points out the most common identifying signs of potential suspicious packages. The easiest signs to spot include protruding wires, oily stains, strange odors, no return addresses, and excessive or no postage. There are many other warning signs that the NYPD flier illustrates.

As soon as the account executive at Orsid Realty, Farhan Naseer, received the NYPD flier, he made sure to circulate it to all 160 properties that are managed by Orsid. At this potentially violent time in our country, everyone needs to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Nasseer says, ““Letters are delivered to mailboxes, but large packages are dropped at the front desk. If a package fits the description, the door staff is under orders to notify the resident manager or call 911. After these recent incidents, everyone’s being more vigilant.” [3] Communication is a must between building staff and their residents. At the end of the day, one can only hope that this mail bombing incident will bring the country together.

[1] Morris, B. (2018, November). Packages Go From Headache to Terrorist Threat. Retrieved from Habitat: https://www.habitatmag.com/Publication-Content/Building-Operations/2018/2018-November/Suspicious-Packages Accessed on November 7, 2018

[2] Ib.

[3] Ib.

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