Steve Neavling

A threatening letter containing black powder prompted the evacuation of the DEA’s office in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood Thursday, the New York Daily News reports.

The DEA evacuated a floor of its offices and quarantined three employees after the letter was opened at 9:15 a.m.

Police, firefighters, medics and the FBI responded to the scene.

“Right now, the area is being investigated and analyzed,” Mulvey said Thursday afternoon. “The three individuals exposed look to be fine, but we are still evaluating.”

The DEA said the letter was not addressed to anyone in particular.

OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST

• Family Wants Justice Department to Probe Cop-Involved Killing
• Possible Murder Weapon Found in Border Patrol Agent’s Shooting
• FBI Director James Comey Visits Denver Field Office
• Judge Orders Justice Department to Release Documents
• FBI Warns Healthcare Firms about Dangers of Hackers

Attorney General/DOJ file photo

Attorney General Eric Holder understands why many black Americans distrust police , he said in Ferguson where protesters have been rallying since an officer shot an unarmed black teen, Fox News reports.

Holder met with about 50 community members to talk about law enforcement issues.

Holder said his trip was meant to reinforce that the federal government is concerned about civil rights issues.

“I understand that mistrust,” Holder said. “I am the attorney general of the United States. But I am also a black man.”

Holder relayed a story of being stopped twice and having his car searched.

“I remember how humiliating that was and how angry I was and the impact it had on me,” Holder said.

Steve Neavling

The extremist from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria will be held accountable for beheading American journalist James Foley, Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday, CBS DC reports.

“Those who would perpetrate such acts need to understand something,” Holder said. “We have long memories and our reach is very wide and we will not forget what happened. People will be held accountable one way or another.”

What remains unclear is whether the U.S. will change its approach to handling American kidnappings.

“The president’s rhetoric was excellent, but he didn’t outline steps to stop the slaughter,” Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of Obama’s harshest foreign policy critics, said in a telephone interview. “The strategy should be to launch all-out air attacks in Iraq and Syria to defeat ISIL,” he said.

istock photo

What’s it like protecting the border?

The U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona is hosting a Citizens Academy beginning Oct. 15 to give residents and community leaders an inside look at the agency. The idea is to provider a greater sense of Border Patrol’s mission and its duties.

Leaders warned that participants should be in good physical condition because the five-week class includes trek’s on unstable terrain.

For more information, call the Yuma Sector Border Community Liaison Office at (928) 341-6559, or Supervisory CBPO Reggie Smith at (928) 627-8854 Ext. 347.

Steve Neavling

The DEA is cracking down on narcotic painkiller abuse by restricting how patients can receive the medication, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The DEA plans to reclassify hydrocodone combination drugs like Vicodin, a move that will require people to receive a new prescription for painkillers every 90 days. Currently, painkiller users can get prescriptions for 18- days, with up to five refills.

Patients also must present a prescription for the pills and can no longer rely on having the drugs phone-in by doctors.

The change takes effect in 45 days.

“Today’s action recognizes that these products are some of the most addictive and potentially dangerous prescription medications available,” said DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart.