A suspicious package left outside Salem Evangelical Church in Northeast Salem turned a quiet Sunday morning into a three-hour bomb scare, with streets blocked off and parishioners told to shelter in place while technicians figured out what they were dealing with.
Officers were called around 8:27 a.m. to the 2500 block of 4th Street NE and quickly locked down the area around the church while services were underway, according to KATU. The Salem Police Bomb Squad responded, and an Oregon State Police bomb technician also joined the scene. Church staff and worshippers were instructed to stay inside until the experts gave the all clear.
Robots, X-rays And A Multi-Agency Response
Bomb technicians routinely rely on robots, X-ray tools and other specialized gear to inspect suspicious packages from a safe distance and check for explosive components. Recent Salem Police releases describe that playbook and encourage residents to report anything that looks out of place as quickly as possible, according to the Salem Police Department.
Package Cleared, Streets Reopened
After about three tense hours, technicians determined the item did not contain explosive parts and rendered it safe. Streets that had been shut down were reopened, and the area returned to normal, KATU reported. Police said a community member was the one who first reported the package, and detectives are still working to figure out who left it there.
Salem Evangelical Church lists its main entrance at 2550 4th Street NE, and its online calendar shows regular Sunday services at that campus, which is why the building was occupied during the response, according to Salem Evangelical Church.
