Note in fiery Md. package complained of road signs

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Note in fiery Md. package complained of road signs

By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press Ben Nuckols, Associated Press – 27 mins ago

HANOVER, Md. – Two packages about the size of small books ignited and released a

sulfur-like smell when they were opened Thursday at land state government

buildings 20 miles apart, slightly burning the fingers of two employees. One of

the parcels was addressed to Gov. O'Malley, who said the mailing meant

for him complained about highway signs that urge motorists to report suspicious

activity.

" Somebody doesn't like seeing that sign, " the Democrat said.

The fiery devices, one found in Hanover, another in polis, closed mailrooms

at government offices across land.

A worker unzipped the first package, addressed in typeface to the recently

re-elected governor and adorned with holiday stamps, around 12:30 p.m. in

polis where mail for O'Malley's office is routinely checked. The building is

just blocks from the governor's office, which is inside the State House in the

heart of the capital.

The package contained a message about the state's terrorism tip line, which is

widely shown on overhead highway signs that read, " Report Suspicious Activity "

and give an 800 number.

The state also uses the overhead signs to post information about missing

children and, to the ire of some drivers, it added real-time traffic estimates

to major highways in March. Some commuters complained drivers were slowing down

to read the signs, backing up traffic. At O'Malley's request, the state studied

the issue and removed the real-time postings from one congested area on the

Capital Beltway.

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., said a return address on one of the

packages turned out to be a Washington parking garage. Ruppersberger, a member

of the House Intelligence Committee who was briefed on the mailings, said there

were no apparent links to terror organizations.

" I believe this is what we call in intelligence a lone wolf situation, involving

an individual who for whatever reason was upset with state government, "

Ruppersberger said.

The second package, torn open about 15 minutes after the first, was sent to

state Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley, Ruppersberger said,

although he was not certain whether her name was written on it.

It was opened at the agency's headquarters in Hanover, near Baltimore's airport.

The woman who burned her fingers at the transportation agency building was taken

to a hospital, as were three other people who were concerned because they were

near the package when it was opened.

Cate Conroy, acting director of outreach and advocacy for the Veterans Affairs

Department, where the governor's mailroom is housed, was in the building when

the package was opened. She said employees calmly left while reports of smoke

were investigated.

" It happened quite quietly, actually, " Conroy said, adding that employees were

allowed back into the building a few hours later.

State police were preparing photographs of the two packages for agency mailrooms

so they can open Friday, and will provide steps workers should take if they find

something, spokesman Greg Shipley said.

The FBI's joint terrorism task force was assisting in the investigation. A U.S.

Homeland Security Department official said the department was aware of the

incidents and monitoring them. One of the packages would most likely be taken to

an FBI lab at Quantico, Va., to be examined, state fire marshal Barnard

said.

Postal inspectors have identified 13 dangerous devices since 2005, and only one

person was injured, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Both packages were

sent by mail and the agency is also investigating.

In 2001, as the nation was still reeling from the 9/11 attacks, letters

containing anthrax were sent to lawmakers and news organizations. Postal

facilities, U.S. Capitol buildings and private offices were shut for inspection

and cleaning by workers in hazardous materials suits. The anthrax spores killed

five people and sickened 17.

At the height of the furor, other suspicious packages were reported at the

land Department of Health and Mental Hygiene headquarters in Baltimore and

the city courthouse. One contained a toner cartridge, while the other was laptop

batteries.

O'Malley, speaking after a land Association of Counties dinner, said he had

spoken with one of the workers injured by the packages and left a message for

the other, and they were doing fine.

" I think it just underscores how whether it's the mail or whether it's the

subway system or an airline, in this age ... you just have to be very, very

vigilant because our openness and the freedom with which we communicate and with

which we travel can be used as weapons against us, " he said.

___

Associated Press Writers Dominguez and Kasey in Baltimore,

Gresko in polis, Witte and Norm Gomlak in Atlanta, and Eileen Sullivan

and Caldwell in Washington contributed to this report.