Lakeport >> The police department was closed off for several hours Monday after a woman brought in an old military ordnance that was potentially still live and dangerous.
Officers immediately closed and evacuated the Lakeport Police Department (LPD) around 9 a.m. when the woman arrived, not aware of the possible threat, Chief Brad Rasmussen stated. They established a perimeter to prevent the public from entering the LPD parking lot, and determined that the surrounding areas were not in danger.
An advisory via Nixle was sent out to inform the public of the situation, and police volunteers notified surrounding businesses and residents. An additional officer also responded.
The LPD contacted the Ninth Civil Engineers Unit from the Beale Air Force Base, located just outside of Marysville, to provide military assistance in disposing the ordnance, believed to be some type of an anti-aircraft round from World War II era or earlier, Rasmussen stated.
At about 2:30 p.m. the Ninth Civil Engineers Unit and LPD packaged the item for transport to a remote area of the Lakeport Sewer Treatment Facility property. After the area was checked for any safety concerns for fire hazards or public injury, by police and fire, the engineers unit conducted a controlled detonation of the ordnance.
“Special thanks to the Ninth Civil Engineers Unit from Beale Air Force Base, Lakeport police staff and volunteers, Lakeport city manager, Lakeport Public Works, Lakeport fire, Lake County Sheriff’s Office dispatch, and Lake County OES for their assistance in this situation,” Rasmussen said.
