CHP Offers Film on Mail Safety

SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol on Monday began offering private employers an online training film to educate mail room workers about handling suspicious mail.

The half-hour video was made Saturday at the first of several training sessions conducted by the CHP for state government workers who daily process hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail.

CHP Commissioner D.O. “Spike” Helmick said he received calls from many private employers who learned of the film and wanted a copy so their workers could be trained in dealing with possibly dangerous letters and packages.

The CHP, which is responsible for the security of state employees and facilities, provided mandatory training to 1,200 government mail room workers during the weekend. Another 1,200 were summoned for instruction Monday. The sessions will continue throughout the week, Helmick said.

In the video, Stan Perez, a CHP manager, discusses various protections against anthrax and other biological threats and steps that can be taken to protect workers and others from contamination.

The CHP video can be accessed at https://www.gov.ca.gov under the heading “What’s new in California.” Employers also may contact the CHP at (916) 657-7202.