Delivery services say it’s business as usual

Delivery services, including the U.S. Postal Service and UPS Inc., said they are not changing any of their operations in Austin after police said a string of deadly bombs were planted as packages on doorsteps.

They said they would continue to use safety precautions that employees are already taught as part of their training.

The postal service would not comment specifically on its protocols, citing security reasons, but said it relies on special portable X-ray machines and the help of trained inspectors to recognize and respond to dangerous mail.

UPS also declined to share information about its screening protocols, but said that in light of the recent bombings, it had warned its Austin employees to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior in their daily routes.

“We aren’t changing any procedure about how and where we leave packages,” UPS spokesman Matt O’Connor said.

UPS reminded residents that carriers will always be wearing a company uniform, arrive in a company truck, knock on the door or ring the doorbell, and announce they are with UPS before leaving a package.

O’Connor said people who are concerned about deliveries can sign up for UPS My Choice, which sends text and email about package deliveries and arrivals.

FedEx would not comment on any delivery changes or its safety protocols, deferring questions to local law enforcement.