MEDFORD, Massachusetts – Authorities shut down a portion of the west side of the Mystic Valley Parkway to investigate a possible explosive in a Medford park on Saturday afternoon. The Massachusetts State Police and the Medford Fire Department were investigating a piece of military ordinance found at the Condon Shell, which appeared to be a defused mortar based on images shared by the MSP, and “determined item to be inert,” the MSP said in a tweet at 4 p.m. “Scene clear.”
The Medford Police department concurred in its own tweet: “All units are now clear. The device was removed and determined to be inert. The street has been reopened.” The stretch of Route 16 known as the Mystic Valley Parkway was closed for at least an hour and a half between Main Street and Winthrop Street as the possible explosive was being investigated, as the first alert sent out by any agency was right around 2:30 p.m.
The exact nature of the military ordinance and how it ended up in the park were not immediately disclosed by the authorities. However, the incident caused a significant disruption in the neighborhood and raised concerns about public safety.
The discovery of the possible explosive prompted a swift response from the state and local authorities, reflecting the sensitivity and urgency of dealing with such potentially dangerous situations. The quick containment and assessment of the situation by the Massachusetts State Police and the Medford Fire Department helped to ensure that the area was secured and that the device was rendered harmless.
While the investigation into how the military ordinance ended up in the park is ongoing, it is a relief to the community that the device was determined to be inert and that the area has been reopened for public use. This incident serves as a reminder of the vigilance of law enforcement and emergency response agencies in keeping communities safe from potential threats.