What the...I can't believe what I got in the mail - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SaltPork · 07-13-2004, 10:37 AM

So today at work we received a "letter". Joking around my boss says, "Who wants anthrax?" We all chuckled, it was funny given the fact that the envelope looked extremely suspicious. It was postmarked from a town just outside Boston.

The envelope was addressed to my work, but to no one in particular. I of course was interested to see if it was something that I needed to be aware of, completely disgarding the previous comment about anthrax. I opened it very carefully...no powder...phew. Stupid in retrospect, I count myself lucky, however, the contents of it were a bit unsettling.

The envelope contained diagrams of and specifications of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. It also contained a page that had a bunch of Fortran code on it. The Fortran code was simply plotting a point or a series of points. Since our business has nothing to do with that sort of code and nothing to do with the nuclear power business we were a bit concerned.

We contacted the local police and an officer came over took my name and contact info since I was the one that opened it and then she left. We really don't think that we'll hear anything about it.

The best part is that I am going to that area of Penn. this weekend to visit my parents. Should be relaxing.

I am seriously freaked out, what should I do? I really think that the local police are just going to sweep this under the rug. It could be nothing, but it could definitely be something. Funny to think that three or four years ago we would have just tossed it in the trash.

wonderwench · 07-13-2004, 10:39 AM

That is rather odd. If you are really that concerned, contact the Homeland Security folks and report the letter.

cosmoknight · 07-13-2004, 10:44 AM

I agree with WW. Here is a link to the Dept of Homeland Security to report possible terrorism related material.

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/contactus

As I live 15 minutes from that plant I would appreciate you reporting this. With the unspecified threats being warned against this is really creepy.

erion · 07-13-2004, 10:50 AM

The really odd thing is they had a security false alarm at Three Mile Island Yesterday. Maybe it was a dry run. . .

Rental Car sets off TMI Bomb Detector

Quote:

Rental Car Sets Off TMI Explosive Detector

POSTED: 12:37 pm EDT July 13, 2004
UPDATED: 12:56 pm EDT July 13, 2004
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. -- A rare security incident happened at the gates of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant Tuesday morning.

Just after 9 a.m., an employee driving a rented car entered the north gates, caused the explosive detector to sound.

TMI security searched the car, then the state police were called in, and they searched the car as well.

Finally, Harrisburg bomb disposal authorities swept the car a third time.

At 10 a.m., the car was declared safe and clear, but as a precautionary measure, the rental car company responsible for the car came and took it away.

"It does happen, but it's very rare," said Ralph DeSantis, with TMI. "Sometime we get some false positives. For example, fertilizer farmers use in their field, if that gets on a vehicle, we would be able to detect that. That's how sensitive our equipment is."

There is no indication as to why the explosive detector sounded.

Every car that enters TMI, including employee's, is searched.

Trisk · 07-13-2004, 10:55 AM

Definately contact homeland security as soon as possible. This could be very serious. The local police aren't trained to deal with terrorism threats and that sort of thing so I wouldn't expect them to do too much.

SecretMethod70 · 07-13-2004, 11:00 AM

That's really strange. The way I look at it, it can't hurt to report it to some national-type security people. Worst that happens is it's nothing.

SaltPork · 07-13-2004, 11:02 AM

I just reported it to Homeland Security.

Thanks cosmoknight for the link. Hopefully nothing happens and this is merely a product of the times.

JStrider · 07-13-2004, 12:19 PM

wow thats crazy... let us know what happens with it!

carrot glace · 07-13-2004, 12:53 PM

thats weird im sure nothing gonna happen though

DelayedReaction · 07-13-2004, 12:58 PM

It's a good thing you told Homeland security. It's possible (but extremely remote) that your company is somehow involved in the transmission of data relevant to a terrorist attack. It sounds cliche, but are there any coworkers who are new?

Before you go off at me, consider that this is precisely the kind of thing that we as citizens are supposed to be keeping watch out for. Getting technical schematics to a nuclear reactor is something that should universally be regarded as a severe threat, and civilian action is the first step.

Follow up that info with a call to HS. You should have recieved a confirmation number or something else; this is too important.

SaltPork · 07-13-2004, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DelayedReaction
It's a good thing you told Homeland security. It's possible (but extremely remote) that your company is somehow involved in the transmission of data relevant to a terrorist attack. It sounds cliche, but are there any coworkers who are new?

Before you go off at me, consider that this is precisely the kind of thing that we as citizens are supposed to be keeping watch out for. Getting technical schematics to a nuclear reactor is something that should universally be regarded as a severe threat, and civilian action is the first step.

Follow up that info with a call to HS. You should have recieved a confirmation number or something else; this is too important.

I wouldn't go off on you....not for this anyway

I have a friend that works for the FBI, I'm going to be calling him tonight. Hopefully he can guide me in the right direction, at least someone in the FBI will be aware. I'm actually very nervous about visiting my parents now, damn world politics.

We did contact the police within the hour of receiving the envelope containing the information so hopefully they've done something useful with it. Our police department here is pretty responsive, but I'm not sure how serious they're taking it. I just hate not knowing what's going on, one can only hope that they also contacted the necessary folks.

BTW-no one new here, just the same old people...we're all a little freaked about it.

DEI37 · 07-13-2004, 03:15 PM

That sounds cool in a twisted sort of way. Yes, before I get any guff for that, I do understand the seriousness of this kind of thing, or at least the potential for it. It's good that you did what you did...hope it's nothing serious...but keep us posted on it.

00111000 · 07-13-2004, 05:00 PM

Very odd, good thing you came here also. It's nice to think that the members of TFP come to the rescue of the USA!

buclao · 07-13-2004, 06:04 PM

Creepy. I only live about an hour away from TMI. Thanks for the info.

DelayedReaction · 07-13-2004, 06:54 PM

This is what I love about the internet; we would have never heard about something like this before TFP and the net arrived. It's really awesome to be able to connect with people around the country, and offer your support.

ARTelevision · 07-13-2004, 06:55 PM

fascinating, really - and timely.

I'm interested in the outcome and will watch the thread for updates.
thanks!

Wax_off · 07-13-2004, 08:22 PM

Damn! I just got a great idea for a SICK prank!! Someone is going to be Punk'd! (jk)

fro2020 · 07-14-2004, 10:48 PM

I've had some strange stuff in the mail at work before, but nothing along those lines. And the office mail nazi would probably toss it without thinking of the ramifications.

Love to hear how this turns out.

SaltPork · 07-15-2004, 05:40 AM

Just a quick update. I talked to my friend at the FBI in Dallas and he said that I've done everything that he would have recommended. He also said that someone should be contacting me from the FBI, or at least he said I shouldn't be surprised if someone did. It's been a couple of days and no contact yet, we'll see I guess.

07-13-2004, 10:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
SaltPork Everything's better with bacon Location: In your local grocer's freezer.	What the...I can't believe what I got in the mail So today at work we received a "letter". Joking around my boss says, "Who wants anthrax?" We all chuckled, it was funny given the fact that the envelope looked extremely suspicious. It was postmarked from a town just outside Boston. The envelope was addressed to my work, but to no one in particular. I of course was interested to see if it was something that I needed to be aware of, completely disgarding the previous comment about anthrax. I opened it very carefully...no powder...phew. Stupid in retrospect, I count myself lucky, however, the contents of it were a bit unsettling. The envelope contained diagrams of and specifications of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. It also contained a page that had a bunch of Fortran code on it. The Fortran code was simply plotting a point or a series of points. Since our business has nothing to do with that sort of code and nothing to do with the nuclear power business we were a bit concerned. We contacted the local police and an officer came over took my name and contact info since I was the one that opened it and then she left. We really don't think that we'll hear anything about it. The best part is that I am going to that area of Penn. this weekend to visit my parents. Should be relaxing. I am seriously freaked out, what should I do? I really think that the local police are just going to sweep this under the rug. It could be nothing, but it could definitely be something. Funny to think that three or four years ago we would have just tossed it in the trash. __________________ It was like that when I got here....I swear.

07-13-2004, 10:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
cosmoknight Tilted	I agree with WW. Here is a link to the Dept of Homeland Security to report possible terrorism related material. http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/contactus As I live 15 minutes from that plant I would appreciate you reporting this. With the unspecified threats being warned against this is really creepy. Last edited by cosmoknight; 07-13-2004 at 10:47 AM..

07-13-2004, 11:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	That's really strange. The way I look at it, it can't hurt to report it to some national-type security people. Worst that happens is it's nothing. __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

07-13-2004, 11:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
SaltPork Everything's better with bacon Location: In your local grocer's freezer.	I just reported it to Homeland Security. Thanks cosmoknight for the link. Hopefully nothing happens and this is merely a product of the times. __________________ It was like that when I got here....I swear.

07-13-2004, 12:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	wow thats crazy... let us know what happens with it! __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

07-13-2004, 10:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
wonderwench Banned	That is rather odd. If you are really that concerned, contact the Homeland Security folks and report the letter.

07-13-2004, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trisk Insane	Definately contact homeland security as soon as possible. This could be very serious. The local police aren't trained to deal with terrorism threats and that sort of thing so I wouldn't expect them to do too much.

07-13-2004, 12:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
carrot glace Crazy Location: orange county	thats weird im sure nothing gonna happen though __________________ "blaine is a pain and that is the truth"

07-13-2004, 12:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
DelayedReaction BFG Builder Location: University of Maryland	It's a good thing you told Homeland security. It's possible (but extremely remote) that your company is somehow involved in the transmission of data relevant to a terrorist attack. It sounds cliche, but are there any coworkers who are new? Before you go off at me, consider that this is precisely the kind of thing that we as citizens are supposed to be keeping watch out for. Getting technical schematics to a nuclear reactor is something that should universally be regarded as a severe threat, and civilian action is the first step. Follow up that info with a call to HS. You should have recieved a confirmation number or something else; this is too important. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

07-13-2004, 03:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	That sounds cool in a twisted sort of way. Yes, before I get any guff for that, I do understand the seriousness of this kind of thing, or at least the potential for it. It's good that you did what you did...hope it's nothing serious...but keep us posted on it. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

07-13-2004, 05:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
00111000 Psycho Location: Mostly standing in a blue semi-circle	Very odd, good thing you came here also. It's nice to think that the members of TFP come to the rescue of the USA! __________________ - And so he says, 'I don't like the cut of your jib.' And I go I says, IT'S THE ONLY JIB I GOT, BABY! -

07-13-2004, 06:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
buclao Insane	Creepy. I only live about an hour away from TMI. Thanks for the info.

07-13-2004, 06:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
DelayedReaction BFG Builder Location: University of Maryland	This is what I love about the internet; we would have never heard about something like this before TFP and the net arrived. It's really awesome to be able to connect with people around the country, and offer your support. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

07-13-2004, 06:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	fascinating, really - and timely. I'm interested in the outcome and will watch the thread for updates. thanks! __________________ create evolution

07-13-2004, 08:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
Wax_off No Avatar, No Sig.	Damn! I just got a great idea for a SICK prank!! Someone is going to be Punk'd! (jk)

07-14-2004, 10:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
fro2020 Still crazy after all these years Location: Norther Cal	I've had some strange stuff in the mail at work before, but nothing along those lines. And the office mail nazi would probably toss it without thinking of the ramifications. Love to hear how this turns out. __________________ I'm not prejudiced...I hate everyone equally.

07-15-2004, 05:40 AM	#19 (permalink)
SaltPork Everything's better with bacon Location: In your local grocer's freezer.	Just a quick update. I talked to my friend at the FBI in Dallas and he said that I've done everything that he would have recommended. He also said that someone should be contacting me from the FBI, or at least he said I shouldn't be surprised if someone did. It's been a couple of days and no contact yet, we'll see I guess. __________________ It was like that when I got here....I swear.