Financial Aid Dept. threatened

Two anonymous hate letters were received by the Yuba College Financial Aid Department on October 1 and 4, reported campus Chief of Police Dennis Dunn. Both letters characterized by “threatening language,” the second was likely directed towards specific personnel employed by the financial aid department. According to Dunn, the letters appear to originate from the same source. No arrests or charges have been filed, as the perpetrators remain unidentified. Dunn noted, “It has become clear to the general public, through recent events, how very difficult it is to tie suspects to a mailed letter.” Possible motives for the letters are unknown. Financial Aid Department Associate Dean, Marisela Arce, declined to comment on the letters.“There is no reason to believe that these threats are related, in any way, to the world situation resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11,” said Dunn in a threat alert E-mail message to all Yuba College personnel. An investigation into the letters’ source is ongoing, facilitated by the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department. Meanwhile, “security presence has been increased, and surveillance measures initiated in and around the 100 buildings,” said Dunn in the alert. Dunn refused to comment specifically on actions taken to protect Yuba students and personnel. Yuba staff has observed regular business hours despite the threats. As a “precautionary measure,” Dunn held a short presentation on October 18 for Yuba staff and student workers detailing safety procedures for handling threatening telephone calls and “other emergency situations,” according to a memo sent to all Yuba College personnel by Counseling Department Secretary Kathleen Egbert.“Everything has been quiet since the two letters were received,” said Dunn. Anyone who observes suspicious activity, or with information useful to the investigation is advised to contact campus police.