Last week, mail became a weapon of terror. With anthrax on the minds of just about everyone, many Angelenos are taking a closer look at the mail before opening it. So the Business Journal asks:

Are you taking any different or unusual steps in handling your mail?


Evan Klinger Project Manager The Trust for Public Land

I’m definitely looking for wires or listening for ticking noises. I’m also smelling my mail. I’m retired military, and they teach you how to look for suspicious items, so I’ve always kept my eyes open. But now, with this anthrax scare, I’m looking at everything. In reality, though, I’m not worried at all about getting infected.

Stephanie Bellocq Assistant Account Executive The Bohle Company

I really haven’t thought twice about opening my mail, but if I had something suspicious looking, I’d probably think twice about it. This would probably be making me more nervous if the events had occurred in California. But since it’s been on the East Coast, it hasn’t hit that close to home, yet.

Fred LeFranc Chief Operating Officer Ruby Restaurant Group

We’ve actually had to do a couple of things. All of our corporate and restaurant staff have been instructed to throw away anything without a return address. Another thing we’re doing is looking at the mail we send out. Everything has to have a return address. Also, all of our direct mail is now being sent out on postcards. It’s common sense, but we need to make sure we’re protecting ourselves as well as help contribute to everyone’s feeling of safety and security. And, I think a lot of people are doing this type of thing.

Harry Bobbitt Business Development Manager Merit Engineering Inc.

Well, we certainly are conscious of it. I’ve been alerted through some e-mails from the AIA (American Institute of Architects), to be aware of people asking for drawings and designs of buildings we’re working on. We’ve never given out drawings to anybody but our clients, but it’s still something to be aware of. With regards to envelopes, though, the slanting on the type, the upper case printing, a New Jersey postmark these are things I’m aware of when I look at my mail.

Susan Goodman Byron Vice Partner CRESA Partners

I’m looking at it more carefully. I don’t think I’m going to be a target per se. At both work and home I look more closely at the return address. I’m certainly more aware. But I think calling 911 for anything unusual is a bit ridiculous. It causes more good than bad. If you have something legitimate, sure, you should report it. But I think a lot of people have been calling 911 unnecessarily.

Paul Collins Account Executive Murphy O’Brien Public Relations

No, I’m really not. I don’t think I’m important enough for anybody to want to assassinate. And I’m not involved with a company like NBC or Microsoft. But I guess I should change my answer, now that I’ve said that terrorists might want to send me something.