A suspicious package left on the window sill of a Main Street bank shut down downtown Concord for about three hours Friday afternoon but was ultimately determined to be harmless by the state police’s bomb squad.
Concord police responded to reports of a package sitting on a Merrimack County Savings Bank window sill facing Main Street shortly after 1 p.m. Police set up a perimeter and called on the New Hampshire State Police bomb squad, which was able to determine the package was not a threat after x-raying and then opening the package, said Sgt. Jeff Dade, bomb squad commander.
Dade said police were unable to determine the package was not a threat by x-raying it alone. Police used a “disruptor” to open the package using water.
The package, which had “courthouse” written on its side, ultimately contained an electrical ballast, a device used to limit the current through an electrical load. It was deemed “clearly not a threat” upon opening, Dade said.
Dade declined to say how exactly the package was opened, saying he didn’t want to describe the methods state police use when responding to these incidents. Dade was seen working near the package in a heavily-padded suit and a helmet, along with a robot. The disruptor was used after the robot knocked the package off the window sill. Concord police Lt. Cori Casey said police are often able to determine whether “suspicious packages” are threats on their own; however, in many cases they will work with the state’s bomb squad.
“They use their expertise and training in providing us guidance with the initial response and in bringing the situation to a safe resolution,” Casey said.
Casey said police “do not believe” the package is related to the Concord March For Our Lives demonstration set to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m., which will include a march past the bank. Organizers said they were not concerned.
Traffic was detoured around the area close to the State House for approximately two hours, but the Capitol was not shut down.
A five-block stretch of North Main Street was closed as police investigated.
Concord City Manager Tom Aspell walked downtown to see what impact the situation was having on local businesses but referred comment to police.
Some bank employees who were evacuated as a precaution went across the street to the Barley House, which remained open. Construction on the nearby School Street city garage continued without interruption.
Casey said police work with nearby businesses when incidents occur to keep their employees safe, but did not know if businesses other than Merrimack County Savings Bank were asked to evacuate or shelter in place.
Casey said the matter is still under investigation and that anyone with relevant information should call the Concord Regional Crimeline at 226-3100 or submit information online at concordregionalcrimeline.com or text TIP234 to 27437.
(Caitlin Andrews can be reached at 369-3309, candrews@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @ActualCAndrews.)