Video - OSBI discovers mold problem

September 18, 2007

OSBI discovers mold problem

KSWO - Lawton,OK,*

Sep 18, 2007 10:02 AM EDT

Lawton_The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is without its

home because the Lawton building is full of mold. So, OSBI is

working out of a temporary office. The mold problem was discovered

after routine maintenance was being done on its building just off of

East Gore Blvd. New carpet and paint was being installed when it

was discovered. It was so bad, the employees weren't allowed inside

the building, and no one is permitted to enter without a respirator.

" We didn't realize the seriousness of it until we started moving

away the heavy furniture and some of the laboratory cabinetry that

was attached to the walls, " said Goss, an OSBI inspector.

He says an expert on mold said structural deficiencies and lab

equipment generated too much humidity and causing the problem.

Their temporary office is in a building at the Lawton Police

Department. At their mold infested building, new pipes are being

laid to keep the drainage flowing smoothly so the structure won't

absorb so much water keeping the mold away and the employees in

their own building. A slope will also have to be built along the

sides of the walls to create a runoff so it won't push water into

the building.

7News wasn't allowed inside to see the interior work being done.

However, OSBI says the sheet work is being replaced along with the

rest of the insulation. This, followed by a wash of all surfaces by

a bleach mixture and, to finish, it must pass an inspection before

employees are allowed back inside.

On a daily basis, some of the OSBI employees will be literally

working side by side with Lawton Police. All the agents work out in

the field, so it hasn't caused a problem for them. But, office

personnel like Stiles, the evidence technician, needs an

office and storage space. She and others will be working out of the

LPD office. It certainly makes it more convenient for police

officers.

LPD submits more evidence to the OSBI station than any other law

enforcement agencies in the ten counties it serves, and right now,

everything is easier than usual. It will be around two months

before OSBI is able to move back to their original location.

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