Suspicious Package Puts Community on Alert

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On Sept. 21, 2018, I was first alerted to the incident by a Facebook post put out by local authorities. At which time I began to monitor the situation. It wasn't until an ambulance was called in, on standby, that I headed out, looking to get information on traffic being diverted from the area. Police were asking the public to stay away from the area and that information needed to get out quickly. I initially posted the alert out on social media Facebook and Twitter, through my page as well as the community page and neighborhood watch groups. I assessed the perimeter law enforcement set up, taking video footage, photos, and immediately uploaded them. It was roughly later in the day just as school was getting out when the incident took place. The package had been left at a gas station in the area. Police called in the Bomb Squad where they moved the package to an old Kmart parking lot. One gentleman stopped to ask what was happening, said he needed to get over to Vestal and that police diverted him away from the area. I informed him Main Street was still open, vehicles could go straight or turn left, but police were not letting anyone turn right. He thanked me for the information and headed out. In the photo, I'm sharing today, you can see the Bomb Squad vehicle on the far left, the suspicious package just right to the center, and police vehicles on the opposite side. This was the area they set off the package. Police say no explosive was found and the investigation is ongoing. Local Law Enforcement were there, FBI, State Police, and the Bomb Squad.