A suspicious package reported at a residence on Mooney Road NW prompted a multi-agency response late last week before investigators determined it posed no threat.
- Officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department responded to the home at approximately 12:30 p.m. March 19 after receiving a call about the package. After making contact with the residents and assessing the situation, officers determined it warranted further investigation and requested assistance from Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.
EOD units from Eglin Air Force Base and the state of Florida responded to the scene, along with support from the Florida Department of Financial Services Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations, the Shalimar Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Okaloosa Department of Emergency Management. Mooney Road was temporarily closed between Country as a precaution.
After a thorough examination, the package was determined not to contain any hazardous or explosive materials, and the scene was safely cleared.
- “We ask our community to remain vigilant and to trust their instincts,” said Chief Robert Bage. “If something does not seem right, reporting it is always the right decision. We would much rather respond and find nothing than miss an opportunity to keep our community safe.”
The department commended the resident for reporting the package, saying their attentiveness helped ensure the safety of the surrounding neighborhood.
Residents who encounter a suspicious package should not touch, move or open it. They should leave the area immediately, call 911 and provide as much detail as possible, and warn others nearby while maintaining a safe distance.
Warning signs of a suspicious package include no return address or an unfamiliar sender, excessive postage or packaging materials, strange odors, stains or discoloration, misspelled words or unusual labeling, unexpected deliveries, and unusual weight distribution. More information is available at cisa.gov.
