Article

2003-06-09 Home Front

The FBI was draining a municipal pond Monday in a search for evidence of the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks, a city spokeswoman said. ``They are draining it,'' said Nancy Poss, the city spokeswoman. She had no further details, and said the city would issue a statement later Monday.
Guess the EPA granted the permit.
Mayor Jennifer Dougherty said last month that FBI agents had discussed with city officials a plan to drain the spring-fed pond. It was among the first of about a dozen that divers searched in December and January. The FBI's Washington field office did not return a call Monday seeking comment.
Hope they got some really big pumps, it hasn't stopped raining all spring back east.
The Post reported that items recovered from one of the ponds searched over the winter included a clear box, with holes that could accommodate gloves to protect the user during work, the Post reported. Also recovered were vials wrapped in plastic. For protection against airborne bacteria, a person could put envelopes and secured anthrax powder into the box, then wade into shallow water and submerge it to put the bacteria into the envelopes underwater, some involved in the case believe, the Post said. Afterward, the envelopes could have been sealed inside plastic bags to be removed from the underwater chamber.
Sure, nobody would have noticed someone standing in a pond for hours doing this.

Posted by Steve 2003-06-09 09:54 am|| || Front Page|| [11148 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This one definitely violates the KISS rule.

Posted by Becky 2003-06-09 10:08:59|| 2003-06-09 10:08:59|| Front Page Top

#2 Frank G: You would get it if you knew the FBI's recruitment profile: All-American kids, not a blemish on their record, eager, patriotic, optimistic. In other words, probably not the type to get inside a criminal's head or think outside of the box. I'm sure a few oddball's do sneak in, but they as the Japanese say, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered in." Without the creative destruction that business and military organizations experience, the culture gets more and more refined throughout the years until it becomes so homogenous that it's useless.

Posted by 11A5S 2003-06-09 14:11:42|| 2003-06-09 14:11:42|| Front Page Top

#3 Update: The FBI was draining a pond Monday in a search for evidence of how anthrax-laced letters were assembled in the deadly 2001 attacks, drawing work crews with heavy equipment to a municipal forest to begin the work. The city said the FBI had hired an engineering firm to drain the one-acre pond, which holds about 50,000 gallons of water, in the municipal forest that is part of the city's water supply system. It said the work was expected to take three to four weeks. A roadblock kept nonresidents out of the wooded area, which contains hiking trails. From the air, about a dozen workers could be seen around the pond, and a backhoe appeared to be digging a channel for water.

No pumps, just a good old fashioned ditch. At least the contractor understands KISS.

Posted by Steve 2003-06-09 15:24:05|| 2003-06-09 15:24:05|| Front Page Top

#4 Did they find any Northern Snakeheads in there, while they were at it?

eL

Posted by eLarson 2003-06-09 18:23:09|| 2003-06-09 18:23:09|| Front Page Top

#5 Grr... forgot the link in the one above:

www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/snakeheadinfosheet.html

eL

Posted by eLarson 2003-06-09 18:27:06|| 2003-06-09 18:27:06|| Front Page Top

#6 Several points here:
1)Why do the work in a public place like a municipal pound?
2)Water in most lakes and pounds ussally isn't all that clear making fine,delicate work difficult.
3)Wouldn't the persons bathtub have been a better place to work all around(that KISS thing,don't ya know)?

Posted by raptor 2003-06-10 09:01:33|| 2003-06-10 09:01:33|| Front Page Top

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