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Depot workers' safety key in bomb threatsThis story was published Thu, Mar 30, 2000
HERMISTON - As the bomb threats at the Umatilla chemical weapons incinerator construction site become an almost expected occurrence, procedures at the depot remain constant. "We take each of these seriously, and we have procedures that we go through and evaluate," explained Army spokeswoman Mary Binder. "The focus remains the safety of the work force here." Meanwhile, Army and Raytheon Demilitarization officials were releasing no further information Wednesday after the eighth bomb threat at the site since Feb. 28 - and the second in two days. "We have an ongoing FBI investigation, and we will assist the FBI in any way we can," she said. Army and Raytheon officials are forwarding all questions to the FBI, which also has shut off any information concerning the threats. "We're just continuing with the investigation," said Gordon Compton, an FBI spokesman in Portland. "The only time I expect to release any information on this matter is when someone is charged or arrested." On Wednesday, no suspicious materials were found by search teams after a Raytheon employee received a bomb threat shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday's threat was received about 11 a.m. Most of the previous threats have come about 7 a.m. One person was arrested earlier this month, but released without charges. As a safety measure on Wednesday, Raytheon and Army officials let non-essential workers leave the site for the day. In some of the previous incidents, workers have returned to work after the site was searched. On Wednesday, depot crisis management team was at its emergency operations center and notified county and state emergency operations centers and law enforcement agencies. People with information on the threats should contact the FBI tip line at 541-278-6004 or the Portland FBI 24-hour line at 503-224-4181. | |
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