A Council Bluffs Fire Department Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team responded to the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department Monday afternoon, to remove a suspicious package . It was the second time in less than a week the Hazmat team was called to the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Jeff Danker told the Daily NonPareil crews arrived at around 3 p.m. Monday, after a suspicious package was discovered while the mail was being sorted. Danker said the bulk looking package was never opened, because it brought to mind a similar package that was opened last Thursday, which contained another package comprised of a white, powdery substance. Danker said they were simply erring on the side of caution, when it came to calling out the Hazmat team.
During last Thursday’s incident, a clear plastic bag with what appeared to be white powder, was discovered in a manila envelope addressed to the Sheriff’s Office. The envelope was itself opened, but the clear plastic bag was never breached. The material inside was tested at the State Hygenic Lab, and while it’s not exactly known what it was, lab results indicated it did not appear to be hazardous.
Danker said he suspects that the second package will also turn out to not be harmful, but his office is not taking any chances. He said the package found Monday will likely be opened by U.S. Postal inspectors, and tested.