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NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt even admitted that “prior to this week's spree, postal inspectors say they’ve investigated just 16 mail bombs in recent years.” But that didn’t stop the network from trying to scare the wits out of their viewers with fears of bombs making their way into the family mailbox during Thursday’s broadcast.
“Now, in a matter of days, at least ten explosive devices and potentially more out there. And as investigators hunt for a suspect, they’re also asking people to keep a sharp eye out for the hallmarks of a mail bomb,” Holt added.
As NBC News correspondent Tom Costello began his report, he gave viewers a crash course on what a mail bomb looked like:
Postal inspectors say there are certain telltale signs of suspect packages: often lopsided with an irregular shape, sometimes wires aluminum foil or stains. Suspects often use excessive postage to avoid going inside the post office. Their handwriting, often distorted and the return address is often fake.
Costello explained that an effective way to find mail bombs was with screenings like what the government and media companies did. “The Secret Service screens the mail for anyone receiving protection, including former presidents. Capitol Police screen mail for members of Congress,” he said. “And since 9/11, many companies including media companies have been scanning their own mail.”
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