From: JRB [anonymous]

Message-ID: <151.317ae3b.290b6797@aol.com>

Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 21:27:51 EDT

Subject: Reducing Anthrax Fear Problems

To: [anonymous group]

 

I just rejoined this list today, having been absent for years (too much to

read). I extend my apologies in advance if this has all been said recently. 



As a Hasher who has personally been arrested by police and forced to lay

spread-eagle in the road when "caught" with white powder (flour), and also

as an American government Special Agent experiencing some of the heat for

recent anthrax scares, I recommend the following measures:



1. Coordinate with your local fire department HAZMAT (Hazardous Material)

folks now (today) so they know about Hash trails. Give them documentation,

point them to your local Hash website, or you can point them to

http://onin.com where there is a HAZMAT link on the opening page. 



2. Coordinate with your local emergency services dispatchers (911 in

America) so they know the general area and time where you will be laying

trail. Get the name of the person you talked with and announce it to the

Pack before the trail begins (this can greatly reduce the risk of long

delays or needless arrests when they are stopped on trail). 



3. Print your local Hash website address on the ground near the start of

your trail (maybe adjacent to any chalk-talk markings), somewhere near the

trail middle, and at the trail end. If your Hash does not have a website,

you may use onin.com.



4. Print your local Hash website (or onin.com) address on any bags of flour

(or whatever) you may be stashing or carrying. 



5. Try hard to work with your local government officials during this trying

time. President Bush said we should go about our lives, but the increased

awareness of white powder means Hash trails can potentially waste government

resources. If your local police say to use green colored flour and hop on

one foot while whistling Dixie, try to accommodate them insofar as possible.





6. If you hear an order to stop, to come out of the woods, etc., do NOT run

away from police as almost every Hasher tends to do (at least in times

past). You may be considered a real terrorist during the heat of the moment

and can create great risk to yourself and also to responding law enforcement

and HAZMAT personnel. Whatever trouble you may be in at the moment will be

nothing compared to the trouble you risk if you flee and the police go to

the trouble and expense of surrounding the woods, bringing in a helicopter,

dogs, etc. 



Following the above guidelines will reduce your problems with the local

police and HAZMAT teams... and MAY even help you later if they attempt to

bill you (or fine you) for costs incurred due to your trail. A judge or jury

of your peers may be sympathetic if you can at least show you made some

attempt (by posting the website address, etc.) to defuse anthrax fears. 



This message does not address the occasional problems of trespassing, damage

to yards/gardens, etc. Obviously you will want to police your own trail

practices more than ever due to close coordination with law enforcement. 



Don't let Al-Quaeda stop you from enjoying life... keep on laying great

trails! 



On-On!



SF

PGM, Samurai HHH, Japan



AKA: 

EG

Special Agent

US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL)