Suspicious package scare

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Police and fire crews were called to the Vernon office of the Ministry of Children and Family Development following the delivery of a suspicious package Monday.

On Sept. 12 at 4:42 p.m., police were called to the government building in the 2800 block of 28th Street said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.

“The RCMP attended and, in consultation with MCFD staff, the decision was made to close the office for the day pending an examination of the package by specialized police personnel,” said Moskaluk. “RCMP officers from the BC RCMP Explosives Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Unit attended on Monday.”

The examination was carried out and the package was seized and removed from the MCFD office the same day.

The Vernon Fire Rescue haz mat team attended the scene as well.

“The MCFD office was reopened on Tuesday morning. The RCMP investigation into the package and its origin is underway,” said Moskaluk.

Police did not say why the package was considered suspicious.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171 or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.