Suspicious letter leads to hazmat response

By DANIEL KITTREDGE

Hazardous materials personnel responded to Johnston police headquarters Wednesday after a letter containing an unknown substance was brought to the station.

Police Maj. Frank Levesque said the recipient, a town resident and corrections officer, found the letter in his mailbox late Tuesday night.

Upon opening it, the major said, the man reported finding a brown, powdery substance.

The man secured the letter in another envelope overnight, the major said, and on Wednesday morning brought it to the police station.

Following protocol, Johnston fire personnel responded to the scene, while state Department of Environmental Management, Cranston Fire Department and FBI personnel also arrived to provide assistance.

Levesque said the letter’s contents have been taken to the state Department of Health for examination.

“It’ll remain under investigation for now,” he said.

Levesque said the corrections officer – who was not identified – did not report any unusual feelings or reactions after coming into contact with the powder.