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clinics in Oregon. Three of these devices were found before they were delivered; the one that was delivered was handled safely by the clinic employees because of information ATF has provided.

We at ATF have tried not to just respond after an incident has occurred but to be proactive. We have worked closely with national groups and clinics around the country and advised them of various security measures that they might take. We have also done vulnerability assessment studies and provided the information to them.

Another way we have helped the clinics is to train them

Telephone

to better respond if they receive telephone threats. threats may be a violation of federal law in the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

However, through our work

with clinics, we have been able to solve at least three:

*On October 31, a bomb threat was called into the Eastern Women's Clinic, New York City. The perpetrator was arrested by ATF.

*On July 18th, an employee of the California Abortion Rights Action League confessed to making numerous telephone bomb threats against CARAL, a clinic and various individuals connected with both to the Herald Examiner in April and May 1986. These threats were investigated by ATF and the Los Angeles Police Department.

* On June 17th, a bomb threat was received at a re-opened clinic (that had been bombed on June 9th). On June 18th, another threat was received. ATF agents caught two juveniles still on the line to the clinic.

These three incidents point to the problem that clinics and

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calls and hoaxes. By working with the clinics ATF agents are

able to train the clinic employees in how to handle a telephone

threat.

In looking at violence directed against abortion clinics we must look at the overall picture of criminal bombings and arsons in this country. In a report we recently released entitled "Explosive Incidents Report 1985, A 10-Year Retrospective," criminal bombings increased from 1,828 in 1984 to 2,226 incidents in 1985. These incidents included both actual and attempted bombings as well as accidential explosions and hoaxes. During the 10 years, 766 individuals were killed; 3,812 were injured and property damage was reported at $401.7 million. The leading target for bombings was residential property followed by commercial property and vehicles. Revenge was the leading motive followed by vandalism, labor related, protest, extortion, homicide/suicide and insurance fraud. We consider criminal bombings to be our most important mission because of their cruel and indiscriminate nature and because the potential for loss of life is so great. Among these, we assure you that the anti-abortion attacks have our highest priority.

ATF has developed a comprehensive program to combat bombings and arsons. It involves specialized training for state and local agencies in bombing and arson detection.

The

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workshops and on-the-scene training.

ATF's forensic chemists

also provide training for state and local chemists in arson ATF also has fostered the arson task

accelerant detection.

force concept which bring together federal, state and local arson investigators and prosecutors into one cohesive, effective team. It is only through a team effort involving all levels of government that we will be able to arrest and convict those who use violence against abortion clinics.

In 1984, ATF maintained that there was no nationwide conspiracy or group such as the Army of God that was directing attacks against clinics. The evidence and interviews we conducted led to the conclusion that small groups of fanatics operating independently of each other were responsible for the violence. The only common thread in all of the attacks appeared to be a deep-seated anti-abortion sentiment carried to violent

We cannot guarantee that future attacks against clinics will not occur as long as certain people are determined to use violence. However, we can ensure that these individuals will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We believe that the high rate of success in solving

27 incidents and the length of sentences given by the courts

are the best deterent against those individuals who espouse

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Mr. Chairman, that concludes my prepared remarks. I would

be happy to respond to any questions that you or other Members of the subcommittee may have.

Mr. EDWARDS. Thank you, Mr. Hartnett.

I believe we'll hear first from Jack E. Swagerty. Mr. Swagerty is assistant chief postal inspector, criminal investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Mr. Swagerty.

STATEMENT OF JACK E. SWAGERTY

Mr. SWAGERTY. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before this subcommittee to discuss the Postal Service involvement in investigating the explosive devices placed in the mails and addressed to abortion and Planned Parenthood clinics in the Portland, Oregon, area.

With your permission, I have a brief prepared statement I'd like to read into the record.

Mr. EDWARDS. Without objection.

Mr. SWAGERTY. I'd like to tell you a little bit about the Inspection Service itself. As the investigative and audit arm of the U.S. Postal Service, we have jurisdiction and enforcement responsibility over all violations of Federal laws relating to the integrity and security of the mails and safety of all postal valuables, property, and personnel. Included in this jurisdiction is the responsibility to investigate bombs and explosives when they fall into one or more general classifications such as mailed bombs and explosives, bombs and explosives placed in postal facilities or property, bomb threats by telephone, mail, or other means directed at postal functions and/or properties, and hoax bombs.

Specifically, postal inspectors have primary jurisdiction over bomb incidents violating 18 United States Code, section 1716. With respect to other related statutes, the enforcement responsibilities under 18 U.S.C. 841 to 848 are vested with the Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of the Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The Postal Inspection Service basically has investigative jurisdiction for violation of these sections as they relate to mails and postal property.

As you are aware, Mr. Chairman, based on the jurisdiction I've cited, the Postal Inspection Service has been and still is the primary agency investigating a series of explosive devices placed in the mails with the intended targets being abortion clinics in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area. I might add that this is the only Postal Inspection Service investigation in the Nation involving abortion and Planned Parenthood clinics as intended targets.

To set the stage in December 1985, I'd like to briefly relate the crimes that occurred there. On December 2, 1985, a parcel bomb was delivered by the Postal Service to the Portland Women's Feminist Health Center in Portland, Oregon. The same day, three similar devices were identified in the custody of the Postal Service in Portland. These parcels were addressed for delivery to well known abortion clinics or birth control information centers in the Portland area. Fortunately, all the parcels, the one delivered and the three under custody of the Postal Service, were safely deactivated by bomb squad personnel before anyone was injured.

Since last December, as you can well imagine, the Portland office