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Akron, Pa.
MCC told suspicious letter a hoax


Mennonite Central Committee learned December 3 that a suspicious letter received at its offices in Akron, Pa. five days earlier containing a white powder substance was a hoax. The substance was harmless and not anthrax or some other harmful substance.

“We are delighted to receive the good word from the Akron Borough Police about the letter,” said Bruce McCrae, director of administration and resources. “This means all of our workers, in particular our mail clerk and others in the mail room, are safe and healthy.”

On the morning of Wednesday, November 28, the mail clerk, 23-year-old Agatha Redekop, noticed a white powder substance falling out of the envelope onto her hand. The letter was addressed to MCC with no return address. The zip code on the envelope read “Richmond” and “200”. A handwritten letter is reportedly to have read in part: “Have you taken your penicillin lately? Death to America. Israel is death.”

Following procedures implemented by MCC since the anthrax scare began, Redekop, a MCC volunteer from Manitoba, immediately informed her supervisor of the situation, and the letter was placed in a plastic bag. Redekop and others who may have come in contact with the letter washed their hands immediately. They were advised to shower and change clothing.

The Akron Borough Police and Lancaster County Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response units were called to the scene. The office was promptly evacuated, and the letter was taken to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health facility in Lionville for testing. Because Redekop had come into direct contact with the substance, HAZMAT officials asked her to monitor her health during the next few days.

The MCC building, where 70 people work, was later closed for the remainder of the day. By mid-afternoon, cleaning crews were vacuuming the carpet and air vents in the office. MCC offices reopened the next morning, but the mail room remained closed for cleaning until Monday, December 3.

Because of recent anthrax cases following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and new federal laws related to anthrax hoaxes, the FBI is investigating the incident.

“This incident led to several rather tense days of waiting for the results,” McCrae said. “While we have always hoped for the best, we were prepared for the worst as well. The mail room staff followed the proper procedures and will continue all necessary precautions in the future,” McCrae added.

 – Mark Beach, MCC communications director

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Last modified January 9, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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