Denver, CO, April 6, 2015…The Anti-Defamation League commended first responders and law enforcement agencies for swiftly responding to reports of envelopes containing a suspicious white powder at two Boulder Jewish institutions earlier today.

 

Hazardous materials teams responded immediately to both the Boulder Jewish Community Center and Congregation Har HaShem after reports that both institutions received suspicious envelopes. Both buildings were evacuated and officials later confirmed that the substances enclosed in the envelopes were not toxic and posed no danger.

 

Scott L. Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We are relieved that no one was harmed from the powder that was enclosed in envelopes sent to the Boulder Jewish Community Center and Congregation Har HaShem.  Even though the contents of the envelopes turned out not to be toxic, they were clearly sent to scare the staff, members and others who may visit these institutions.  We commend the staffs of these institutions for taking immediate action to protect their communities, including contacting law enforcement upon noting they were in receipt of suspicious envelopes. We also applaud the quick action of the first responders and law enforcement agencies that responded to both institutions. We encourage both local and federal law enforcement agencies to fully investigate these incidents and to investigate all possible motives, including investigating the incidents as potential hate crimes. These incidents serve as a reminder that we must all be vigilant about security.

 

In addition to the suspicious powder, at least one of the envelopes contained a threatening message that read “your (sic) have enemies”. A spokesperson for the Boulder Police Department confirmed that the envelopes appear similar in nature. Both incidents remain under investigation.