IP: Local FBI changes response policy.

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Kaiser, June" <JKaiser () birch com>
> To: "'dave () farber net'" <dave () farber net>
>
> Dave,
> Here is a piece in todays Kansas City Star.  It reflects an interesting
> change in policy in our area and may be the start of a trend.
> One will have to hope that the local communities will be able to handle
> situations and make the required determination of potential threat in a
> timely manner.   As mobile as our society is time could be of the essence.
> -J
> FBI office in KC changes response policy for anthrax calls
>
> Date: 10/17/01 22:15
> The Kansas City FBI office has changed its policy on how it responds to
> reports of suspicious material that callers believe might be anthrax.
> FBI spokesman Jeff Lanza said that agents would continue to evaluate each
> report. But local agents only will respond if an explicit threat is involved
> or if other factors suggest the recipient or large groups of people are in
> peril, Lanza said.
> The bureau is advising local law enforcement agencies to secure the areas
> and have the material tested by state health departments, Lanza said.
> "That is a change," Lanza said. "Our resources will not allow us to respond
> to every report."
> In past years, the FBI routinely responded to about two anthrax scares a
> month in the Kansas City area. On Tuesday, the local office received 39
> calls from concerned residents to its anti-terrorism command post, Lanza
> said.
> "We have to balance the need to be responsive to the community with our need
> to prudently use our resources," Lanza said. "That's why the policy has
> changed."
> -- Mark Morris/The Star


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