The New York Times says they are coordinating with the NYPD after a suspicious package was sent to CNN’s New York headquarters, which resulted in the total evacuation of the Time Warner Center in New York City Wednesday morning.
“As you may have read, suspicious packages have recently been mailed to high-profile individuals and to CNN. Our security team has been in touch with local authorities and with the security people dealing with these unfolding events,” read a note from NYT leadership circulated internally that was obtained by TheWrap.
The letter reiterated that while Times’ mail was already highly secure that additional precautions would now be taken.
“Here at The Times, all incoming mail, including United States Postal Service, FedEx and UPS, in New York and in the Washington bureau, is sent through an X-ray machine before it is delivered. The mail delivery in New York today is complete and there were no suspicious packages detected,” it continued.
“We’re now taking the additional step of sending anything delivered directly to the lobby security desk to the X-ray machines before delivery, and we will continue to be hypervigilant in the days ahead.”
On Wednesday, CNN’s live broadcasts from New York City abruptly ended as employees were evacuated from the building after a suspicious package was delivered. On air, CNN crime and justice reporter Shimon Prokupecz said that there was fears the parcel contained a pipe bomb.
“What raised the alarm bell was when they X-rayed the package they found what looked like metal material, perhaps a pipe bomb. We’ve talked about other pipe bombs or bombs inside of metal construction that’s been delivered at other locations,” said Prokupecz. “Then also we’re being told there were wires. What appeared to be wires inside this package.”
On Wednesday CNN anchor Wold Blitzer reporter that the package was addressed to CNN and to former CIA director John Brennan — a frequent Trump critic who is also an MSNBC contributor.
The NYPD and bomb squad also described Wednesday as a precautionary measure.
“As a precaution, the NYPD Intelligence, Counterterrorism and Bomb Squad teams are increasing patrols at high-profile locations in New York City, including media locations,” an NYPD source told TheWrap.
The packages appear to be part of a coordinated effort. Also this week similar parcels were sent to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and to billionaire Democratic financier George Soros.