HAZWOPPERs

HAZWOPPERS are a select group of postal inspectors who receive special training and are certified as Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Responsers. They are the federal agents who can tread through areas that are potentially contaminated by leaking or suspicious parcels and letters in order to collect evidence.

Agents from Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee received this year's training and certification at the Birmingham P&DC (HAZWOPPERs must be recertified annually).  

While most cities already have trained emergency hazmat responders, their focus is usually on containing the substance and treating victims. "They are not trained investigators, usually aren't used to testifying in criminal cases, and don't understand the intricacies of mail processing," said Postal Inspector Tony Robinson.

The HAZWOPPER suit includes a full face mask that is attached to an air pump.  They are also armed with portable chemistry sets and other equipment.

Before they suited up, classroom training covered protocols and equipment usage, which included the use of x-ray devices. Postal Inspectors Stephan Matthews and Tony Robinson, who are both domiciled in Birmingham, were two of the participants.

Postmarks appreciates all of the HAZWOPPERS for their willingness to put themselves on the line in order to stop criminals ( and also for being willing to wear those stifling suits) and thanks Postal Inspector Robinson for sharing the information about them.

Police won't listen? Tell your mailman.

Carol Anne Bond was thrilled when she learned that her best friend, Myrlinda Hayes, was pregnant. However, the thrill was gone when she learned that her husband, Clifford Bond, was the baby's father.


Carol Anne Bond, a microbiologist, then stole chemicals from her workplace and proceeded to attempt to poison Hayes by sprinkling toxic powder on Hayes' apartment door, her car door, and her mailbox.


When Hayes noticed the powder and how it burned her fingers, she called the local police, who told her to just wipe it off. Frustrated by their lack of concern and action, Hayes mentioned it to her her mailman, who got the ball rolling: he told his supervisor, who notified the postal inspectors, who set up the video surveillance that caught Bond stealing Hayes' mail and placing the poison inside her mailbox and car muffler.


According to CNN, "Instead of being charged with simple assault, which may have gotten her six months to a year or two in state prison, Bond was indicted in federal court on two counts of mail fraud and the bombshell: two counts of violating a federal law and international treaty for the possession and use of 'chemical weapons.' "


Now, Bond's case is being heard in the Supreme Court: she and her lawyers think that it was inappropriate for her to have been charged with federal crimes. She received a much harsher sentence ( 6 years in prison plus $12,000 in fines) than she would have if she had been prosecuted locally. 


Bond wants out of her sentence but not out of her marriage: she and her husband are still together. He has visited her in prison. 


To read more about this case, type her name into the search engine of your choice or go to the CNN article about it by clicking here.