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WEST VIRGINIA JUDICIARY
COURT SECURITY

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Bomb Threats and Personal Threats Received by Telephone 

Many bomb threats and other types of threats are made against individuals. Others allege that bombs have been planted in facilities. Most threats are made by telephone.

It is an unnerving experience for anyone to receive a telephoned threat, but there are ways to minimize personal fear and still concentrate on gathering helpful information for law enforcement personnel to identify the person making the threat.

The first step is to realize that any court employee could receive such a call. The second step is to be aware that careful procedures have been developed to counter such threats and to arrest and convict the callers.

The Court provides two forms to keep on hand for noting important information and asking the right questions if you receive a threat by telephone. One is for bomb threats, and the other is for personal threats.

Letter and Package Bombs

Here are some things to look for to recognize possible letter and parcel bombs. They may have

  • oily stains or discoloration;
  • no return address;
  • excessive weight;
  • an envelope that is rigid;
  • an envelope that is lopsided or uneven;
  • wires or tinfoil protruding from the package or envelope;
  • excessive masking tape, string, or other wrappings;
  • foreign mail, air mail, or special delivery;
  • restrictive markings such as “Confidential” or “Personal”;
  • excessive postage;
  • hand-written or poorly-typed addresses;
  • incorrect titles;
  • a title with no name;
  • misspellings of common words; or
  • visual distractions on letters and parcels.

If you see a suspicious object, call security at once. Never touch or disturb a suspicious package or object.

Emergency Phone Numbers

Arthur G. Angus
Director of Supreme Court Security
(304) 541-5156

Donnie Frye
Deputy Director of Supreme Court Security
(304) 546-2836

Daniel Snider
Court Marshal
(304) 542-5478

Brad Reed
Court Marshal
(304) 989-2830

Office: State Capitol Building, Room E-312
Court Security Office: (304) 558-1911
State Capitol Protective Services: (304) 558-9911
Governor's State Police Security: (304) 558-0514
911 Center: 911

Evacuation of Court Facility

Learn about the evacuation procedures for your building, and carefully follow instructions during a fire, bomb threat, or other emergency.

If ordered to leave your work area, evacuate your floor at once. Don’t wait to see if anything is going to happen.

To prepare yourself for an emergency

  • locate all the fire / emergency exits in your building;
  • locate the fire alarm boxes on your floor and learn how to activate them; and
  • discuss with your “emergency floor warden” the proper procedures to be followed or how you might assist in a crisis.