So we were sitting in our audit room, and a voice just came on the intercom telling us there'd been an incident and that safety protocols were put in place at World Bank, and thus we shouldn't try to leave the building.
(current time = 1:40 pm)
I checked the World Bank Intranet site, and found this:
More info from the World Bank Intranet:
(current time = 1:40 pm)
I checked the World Bank Intranet site, and found this:
Incident on 18th Street
Date: July 2, 2008 - 13:34
Sponsor: General Services Department
Incident on 18th Street
At approximately 12:45 p.m., a man approached one of our security officers at MC East Lobby entrance with a suspicious package. GSD Corporate Security immediately notified the police and secured the MC East Lobby doors (18th Street) and the J-Building Lobby. Police have taken the man into custody and have begun their investigation.
Staff should avoid the area surrounding 18th Street until further notice. More information will be forthcoming.
Security Operations Center
Date: July 2, 2008 - 13:34
Sponsor: General Services Department
Incident on 18th Street
At approximately 12:45 p.m., a man approached one of our security officers at MC East Lobby entrance with a suspicious package. GSD Corporate Security immediately notified the police and secured the MC East Lobby doors (18th Street) and the J-Building Lobby. Police have taken the man into custody and have begun their investigation.
Staff should avoid the area surrounding 18th Street until further notice. More information will be forthcoming.
Security Operations Center
Pretty exciting stuff. I'll add more as we learn more.
(current time = 1:55 pm)
More info from the World Bank Intranet:
Shelter in place MC and J Building
Date: July 2, 2008 - 14:06
Sponsor: General Services Department
As a precaution and under the advice of the Metropolitan Police Department, Corporate Security is instituting shelter in place for all staff in the MC and J Buildings.
Please remain in the building and move away from the external windows.
Further information will be forthcoming.
Date: July 2, 2008 - 14:06
Sponsor: General Services Department
As a precaution and under the advice of the Metropolitan Police Department, Corporate Security is instituting shelter in place for all staff in the MC and J Buildings.
Please remain in the building and move away from the external windows.
Further information will be forthcoming.
Looks like we aren't going anywhere soon; I just hope we can leave by 5:00 or whenever I can leave.
(current time = 2:20 pm)
Update on the incident:
SECURITY UPDATE - 1514 hrs
Date: July 2, 2008 - 14:15
Sponsor: General Services Department
We have received an update from the Metropolitan Police Department that the suspicious package found outside MC Building does not contain any explosive material. However, the police continue to investigate the contents of the package as an extra measure of precaution.
Shelter-in-place continues for the MC, U and J Buildings. MC, U and J Buildings are closed for access.
Additional information will be forthcoming.
Date: July 2, 2008 - 14:15
Sponsor: General Services Department
We have received an update from the Metropolitan Police Department that the suspicious package found outside MC Building does not contain any explosive material. However, the police continue to investigate the contents of the package as an extra measure of precaution.
Shelter-in-place continues for the MC, U and J Buildings. MC, U and J Buildings are closed for access.
Additional information will be forthcoming.
(current time = 3:30 pm)
They just came on the intercom again and gave us the "all clear" message as follows:
"All Clear" status now - 16:
Date: July 2, 2008 - 15:46
Sponsor: General Services Department
The Metropolitan Police Department completed their investigation and informed us that the suspicious package did not contain any dangerous substances.
We now have an "all clear" and are lifting the shelter-in-place restrictions for the MC, J and U buildings and the MC and J garages. It is now safe for staff to move within and among the buildings. 18th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue remain closed while MPD clear away equipment.
We thank you for your patience and collaboration throughout this incident. The safety and well-being of our staff is always our foremost priority and we wanted to ensure there was no danger to anyone.
We'd also like to extend our thanks to our Security Operations staff for their able handling of the incident.
Date: July 2, 2008 - 15:46
Sponsor: General Services Department
The Metropolitan Police Department completed their investigation and informed us that the suspicious package did not contain any dangerous substances.
We now have an "all clear" and are lifting the shelter-in-place restrictions for the MC, J and U buildings and the MC and J garages. It is now safe for staff to move within and among the buildings. 18th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue remain closed while MPD clear away equipment.
We thank you for your patience and collaboration throughout this incident. The safety and well-being of our staff is always our foremost priority and we wanted to ensure there was no danger to anyone.
We'd also like to extend our thanks to our Security Operations staff for their able handling of the incident.
(current time = 4:20 pm)
So it wasn't all that exciting in the end, but it provided a little joy in our day and gave us something to wonder about. All in all, a wonderful distraction for us, and thus greatly appreciated as we try to stay conscious until the long weekend.
