Local offices take precautions

Erin Neff

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001 | 9:12 a.m.

Despite numerous calls from residents and office personnel to police and health officials in the Las Vegas Valley about potential anthrax exposure, there are no plans to sweep local government buildings for the deadly spores.

Congressional leaders ordered the U.S. Capitol and other buildings around Capitol Hill in Washington closed to sweep for anthrax after Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office received a letter contaminated with the disease.

The unprecedented closing of the Capitol after three dozen of Daschle's staffers were exposed to anthrax probably won't be echoed here, local officials said.

Neither federal, state or local government officials have any plans to close buildings for precautionary sweeping.

Strict mail handling and other security procedures, however, have been implemented at all area government buildings in the wake of increased cases of anthrax exposure nationwide.

Gov. Kenny Guinn's staff learned Wednesday that anthrax was sent to New York Gov. George Pataki's office in New York City, but they remained confident Carson City buildings are safe.

"We've taken every precaution," Guinn's spokesman Greg Bortolin said.

All state agencies have reviewed mail procedures and are ordered to sort mail with gloves. In addition, Capitol Police -- which patrol both Carson City's Capitol and the Grant Sawyer State Building in Las Vegas -- have increased patrols, Bortolin said.

Although the Capitol is open to the public, and includes a third-floor museum, no steps are being made to close the building to visitors. All visitors must enter the building through one of two entrances, both of which are under video surveillance and open to a Capitol Police booth.

Despite increased security and mail scrutiny, business is as close to normal as possible in Clark County. The Clark County Government Center has received no threats warranting a sweep for anthrax.

The mail room workers in Las Vegas City Hall are now "our first line of defense," support systems supervisor Mike Hougen said.

All mail room employees received new training Monday on how to spot suspicious packages and safely handle the mail.