The bomb scare at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School tonight turned out to be a false alarm. After detonation, the suitcase in question was found to be empty. The bomb squad had been called in and every precaution was taken.
View from the vehicle
Driving home on Tuesday afternoon around 4:15 pm, the traffic on Euclid Avenue in Bristol was rerouted and the street in front of Stonewall Jackson Elementary was blocked off with cones. It was apparent that there was a crowd gathering, staring and discussing something that had happened. Since this vicinity had been the site of a pedestrian death in recent years, the first thought that crossed our mind was a child had been hit, but the children had already departed the school at this time.
Following the side road that runs parallel to Euclid, we reemerged directly across from the school at the exact spot where a bomb truck was parked. Still unaware what had happened, we glanced to the right to a closed-off section of street to see a small robot standing around the place where the familiar safety patrol always stood.
The whole scene was surreal, and we had to fight the curiosity that propelled us to return and see what happened. This robot was new technology, and frankly, it was fascinating.
The times, they are a'changing
My late father was a fireman in Bristol, and he had worked so hard to get hazmat suits for the Bristol firemen in the 1970's. This area is home to an interstate highway and many trains coming through on a daily basis. Even back then, the potential for disaster was great. I could not help but wonder what he would think if he were alive today and saw that little robot standing in the middle of the street on Euclid Avenue. I think he would be quite excited and pleased with technology that is able to save the lives of our brave civil servants.
It was later reported by WCYB-TV that the suspicious case was empty, which of course, was great news. The authorities, however, had made wise, cautious choices, and that is always the right thing to do.
Follow @Barbiecrafts on Twitter
Find the Bristol City Buzz Examiner on Facebook.
Comments