Explosive Device Found in Residential Area

               On September 15, 2022, at approximately 2:00pm a citizen called and reported a suspicious object in the 2700 block of Dirr in Parsons to the Police Department.

                Officers that arrived on scene tested the device with an explosive field-testing kit and the result was a positive for explosive material. Police called the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) Hazardous Device Unit to collect and disposed of the device. 

                Officers have the area currently blocked off and are asking citizens to avoid the area for safety reasons. Parsons Fire and Labette County Emergency Medical Services are staging in case of a detonation.

                The device is classified as an Improvised Explosive Device or (IED). According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), IED is defined as a "homemade" bomb and/or destructive device to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract.

                Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "as law enforcement are actively working this scene, please hold off on traffic in the area. The safety of our citizens is our top priority and situations such as this can turn in a matter of seconds. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation."

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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