Members of the Belleville Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Division in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Police Explosive Disposal Unit are continuing to investigate the incident on Keegan Parkway where a suspicious package was discovered.
Police believe that this was an isolated incident and that there is no further threat to public safety. The area was reopened following an exhaustive search of the area to ensure it was safe for the public.
Following the safe rendering of the suspicious package, items have been sent for forensic testing to assist in the investigation which may assist in determining its contents, authenticity and origins.
Police do not believe that this incident is linked to the bank robbery that also occurred on the 16th of March.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det.-Const. Andrea Boulay at 613-966-0882 ext. 4183 or aboulay@bellevilleps.ca
UPATE – Keegan Parkway Police Operation
An area of the Bayshore Trail along Keegan Parkway is now open to the public.
The Ontario Provincial Police Explosive Disposal Unit attended the scene earlier this afternoon and neutralized the suspicious device located along the trail.
An investigation into the origin of the device and whether explosives were involved is continuing.
Some areas of the park will remain off-limits in this evening as officers with the Belleville Police Forensic Identification Unit process the scene.
The Belleville Police Service would like to thank members of the Belleville Fire Department, Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services and the City of Belleville Public Works department for support and resources during this incident.
Original release:
Keegan Parkway Police Operation
An area along the city’s waterfront trail will remain off-limits to the public as officers with the Belleville Police Service are continuing to deal with a situation in the east end today.
Police were called to an area near the children’s playground on Keegan Parkway around 8:30 a.m. Saturday after a passerby observed what was thought to be a suspicious package.
The location and description of the package – not only beside the playground but near the walking trail and directly south of Belleville hospital – led to officers create a large perimeter to maintain public safety in the event it was an explosive device.
The Ontario Provincial Police Explosive Disposal Unit is on route to the scene and has been coordinating with members of the Belleville Police Emergency Response Unit since the discovery.
The public is requested to stay away from the cordoned off area until the matter is resolved.
Other emergency services – the Belleville Fire Department and Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services – have been staged nearby to assist, if required.
The Belleville Police Criminal Investigations Unit, Forensic Investigations Unit and Traffic Safety Unit (drone operations) have also been activated to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det.-Const. Stephanie Bested at 613-966-0882 ext. 4170 or sbested@bellevilleps.ca
Anyone looking to provide information to police anonymously can do so by contacting Crime Stoppers at 613-969-8477 or www.crimestoppersquinte.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
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