University officials announced yesterday that a suspicious letter found in Robertson Hall did not contain anthrax. The news came exactly one week after the letter was removed for testing by a hazardous materials team. The letter, which was sent from Canada and bore no return address, contained an oily, paint-like substance.
Princeton Borough Police Chief Charles Davall said the words "anthrax" and "dark winter" were visible through the plastic bag in which the letter was placed for transport to the lab. He added that police could not read the letter until testing confirmed that it was free of anthrax.
Davall said the police would attempt to track down whoever sent the letter. "It's a false public alarm, terroristic threat even," he said.
He noted that there were several factors that might make it difficult to find the person who sent the letter. He said the University does not have anyone whom it suspects of sending the letter, and the fact that it was sent from Canada will make the investigation more difficult. "The leads aren't strong," he said.
Lauren Robinson-Brown '85, the University's director of communications, said the University does not have any idea who might have sent the letter.
"Princeton is a high-profile institution. In terms of why someone would pick us, it's anybody's guess," she said. "I can tell you the University receives hate mail. We received it before September 11th; we will probably always receive it."
Asked whether the University would pursue a civil suit against the sender if he or she is found, Robinson-Brown said, "We have not discussed that possibility."
Robinson-Brown said that as of yesterday the University had received 67 calls about suspicious letters and substances since Sept. 11. This represents an average of about one call per day.
She said that while the University is concerned about the strain that the high volume of false alarms is placing on emergency resources, "Public safety wants the calls. They don't want people to stop calling."
Robinson-Brown added that the University takes hoaxes very seriously, and that any University student who creates an anthrax hoax will be subject to internal University discipline in addition to legal penalties.
She noted that the University has no reason to believe that last week's letter came from a student.
Read More
David Zielenziger ’74, former ‘Prince’ chairman and lifelong journalist, passes away at 72
Kian PetlinFriends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74, who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Friends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74 who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Remembering Dorothea von Moltke, Labyrinth co-founder and local community builder
Lucia BrownDorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Dorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Cloister Inn to pause operations for the next 2–3 years, citing “hefty renovations”
Justus WilhoitCloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.
Cloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.