FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, JULY 28, 1998 Public Information Office CB98-134 301-457-3030/301-457-3670 (fax) 301-457-4067 (TDD) e-mail: pio@census.gov **CENSUS BUREAU MEDIA ADVISORY** Suspicious Package Forces Evacuation of Census Bureau Headquarters This morning a suspicious package was received at the U.S. Census Bureau's headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. Emergency personnel from the Prince George's County Fire Department, GSA Federal Protective Service, U.S. Postal Service Police, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms responded immediately to the situation. At about 11 a.m. the building was evacuated of its 3,000 employees, who were later sent home on administrative leave. According to Major Jane W. Edwards, Prince George's County Fire Investigations and Bomb Squad Commander, "a small shoe box-sized package with personal items contained possible explosives. A security x-ray machine detected the suspicious items and bomb squad technicians were dispatched to perform safe removal operations." No employees or emergency personnel were injured. "Census Bureau security authorities made the right call to evacuate the building and contact 911 emergency units," Edwards said. An investigation will be conducted by U.S. Postal Service authorities. Note: For more information, you can also contact Mark Brady, Public Information Office, Prince George's County Fire Department on 301-499-8400.
-X-
