Warren Court Evacuated On Report Of White Powder
WARREN (WWJ) - A suspicious substance that triggered the evacuation and closure of a Warren courthouse turned out to be baby powder.
The all clear has been given and employees at 37th District Court in Warren are back in the building after the scare Monday morning.
Police ordered the evacuation when a letter containing white powder was opened by a court employee.
Sgt. Brendan Brosnan said a HAZMAT called to test the substance determined that it was not harmful and, in fact, "contained the same elements as baby powder."
He said protocol was followed and everything is back to normal at the courthouse.
"Initially the first thing that comes to mind is the safety of the employees and any of the guests that come in over at the court," Brosnan told WWJ Newsradio 950. "Obviously with the state of affairs that's been going on, and the recent ricin scare the White House received, we have different protocols and procedures in place that we follow. But it's always in the back of your mind.
"Whether or not someone would actively send something to Warren's 37th District Court, you know, as rare as that may be -- we still have to treat it like it's the real deal," Brosnan said.
A witness at the scene said it was an orderly evacuation at building on Van Dyke near Common road.
No one was hurt.
Police are investigating who sent that letter.
