By Alex Sappok Ph.D.
Local government officials and their staff continue to find themselves in the crosshairs of high-profile threat incidents, and often actual physical threats. Consider the following examples:
- Part of an Atlanta courthouse was evacuated in March 2025 after a letter with white powder was delivered to the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
- In February 2025 alone, Senator Bernie Sanders, Congressman Nick Langworthy, and a Colorado state representative received packages with white powders or other unknown substances.
- In the fall of 2024, suspicious packages were sent or received by election officials in more than 15 states, many of which contained a white powder substance.
- In anticipation of such events targeting the security of election infrastructure, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its “Guide to Operational Security for Election Officials” to highlight potential risks and offer practical mitigation measures.
These incidents reflect a growing trend: threats against local government offices are no longer rare or random – they’re becoming a consistent tactic used to intimidate, even harm officials and disrupt public institutions. Additionally, state and local agencies are experiencing a surge in mail-based threats, including death threats, suspicious powders, and dangerous substances.
Ordinary envelopes, extraordinary risk
Unlike digital threats, mail-based threats are notoriously difficult to detect. One alarming trend is the rise of drug-laced papers – documents infused with substances like fentanyl, methamphetamines, and synthetic cannabinoids. Once dried, the drugs can be invisible to the human eye, making detection even harder.
According to recent research from RaySecur, 95% of mail threats were delivered in letters or small packages – items small enough to be dropped anonymously into a curbside mailbox. More concerning: 94% of mail threats were delivered via letters alone, demonstrating just how dangerous even the most unassuming pieces of mail can be.
The research also shows that the risk is growing. Additional research found that 59% of mail-based threats use white powders, with 26% of those confirmed to contain illicit drugs such as fentanyl. These attacks are not only hard to detect, but also hard to prosecute, since fewer than 2% of mail threat incidents result in an arrest.
For local government organizations, this combination of anonymity, lethality, and limited legal recourse makes mail one of the most vulnerable and under-addressed threat vectors.
Why traditional methods miss the threat
Conventional mail-screening methods such as visual inspections, lightboxes, canine units, and even x-ray imaging, fall short when it comes to detecting today’s sophisticated mail-based threats. X-ray systems are effective in identifying dense objects like weapons or explosives, but they lack the sensitivity required to detect small quantities of powders, liquids, or chemically treated papers commonly used in mail-borne attacks. Visual inspections are even less reliable since they’re unable to reveal concealed materials inside sealed envelopes or packages.
T-ray (terahertz) imaging now addresses these limitations with real-time, high-resolution 3D video that is 300 times more sensitive than X-rays and can detect even trace amounts of hazardous substances. Operating at 400 GHz, this technology “sees” through packaging to better identify threats like synthetic powders and fentanyl-laced paper that would normally bypass X-ray systems. This approach offers significantly higher sensitivity and enables the detection of minute quantities of hazardous substances – without the need to open the mail.
T-ray technology offers a safer, more practical alternative to traditional screening methods for government agencies. Unlike X-ray systems, T-ray scanners are non-ionizing and require no radiation permits, making them easy to deploy in secure mailrooms or even the homes of high-profile individuals. They’re also safe to use around personnel and electronics, and simple enough for non-specialists to operate with minimal training. Because the technology is non-ionizing, operators can safely interact with the package in real time. This allows them to move or rotate the item during scanning to view suspicious items from different angles or gain a clearer picture.
Real-world results: Proven protection for Mayor Pete
T-ray screening has been successfully deployed to help government officials and high-profile organizations stay ahead of mail-based threats. During his U.S. presidential campaign, Pete Buttigieg’s Pete for America Campaign faced a surge in written and verbal threats that prompted the need for more rigorous mail screening.
Based on the recommendation of their executive protection firm, the campaign implemented T-ray imaging technology to proactively examine all incoming mail. The system was installed at headquarters within minutes, required no radiation permits or specialized infrastructure, and could be operated by a campaign staffer with no prior security experience. The mail was consolidated and scanned daily without disrupting operations or slowing down communications, resulting in a safer environment for staff, volunteers, and even the Buttigieg family who sent personal mail to campaign headquarters for screening.
Reinforcing the front Lines of local government security
As physical threats against public officials and government staff continue to rise, mailrooms can no longer be treated as low-risk operations. By deploying T-ray technology, government agencies can transform these vulnerable entry points into proactive security checkpoints to protect staff members, maintain ongoing continuity, and strengthen the public trust.
About the author
Alex Sappok, Ph.D., is the CEO of RaySecur, a company specializing in advanced security imaging technology. Before leading RaySecur, Sappok founded FST, Inc., an MIT spin-out focused on advanced RF sensing technology, which was later acquired by CTS Corporation (NYSE: CTS). He holds over a dozen patents and two R&D100 awards and has both S.M. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where he also held the Cummins-MIT Fellowship.