Location. Location. Location. “What made it so odd is where it was – in a place you would not expect to see it,” said Brian Kennell, city IT network engineer, who saw something and reported it on Thursday, March 29. What he saw was a dark duffle-type bag, wedged between two air conditioning compressors behind lattice screening and the brick wall of the Municipal Building near the west entrance. Greenbelt police were notified at 10:30 a.m. and arrived within two minutes. The building was evacuated and roped off with yellow crime scene tape. A homeless woman who frequents a nearby area was questioned and she confirmed that the bag did not belong to her. It was then deemed to be suspicious in nature, which by protocol required referral to the county Fire Board, aka Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services.
They in turn dispatched the National Capital Regional Bomb Squad Working Group to investigate. Bomb squad technicians arrived, classified the situation as an unattended bag and after investigation found it contained clothing and a sleeping bag, according to police. The-all-clear was given at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Kennell spotted the bag while standing near the condensers as he happened to look down. He told Julie Magness, human resources specialist, who notified Mary Johnson, director of human resources. All three went to the area, looked at the site and agreed that the placement was unusual. Assistant City Manager David Moran said, “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” after he was notified and went to the site. All agreed there was cause for concern, especially because the person who put the bag there had to maneuver in a cramped area behind and between the condensers and, once there, stuff the bag between two of them. “Everything worked the way it is supposed to,” said George Mathews, Greenbelt Police public information liaison. “Proper protocol was followed by everyone. Someone saw something and promptly reported it. Officers responded, the Fire Board was notified and the bomb squad investigated.” If you see something, say something.