The Kent County Department of Public Works got an unexpected—and potentially dangerous—surprise last week when a cannonball, believed to date back to the Civil War, was dropped off at its SafeChem disposal site on Wealthy Street.
The incident, which occurred Wednesday, April 23, led to the immediate evacuation of the facility as a precaution. The Grand Rapids Police Department Bomb Squad responded quickly, assessing the device and safely removing it for further inspection.
“The safety and security of our staff and community is our number one priority,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. “We thank our first responders for their quick response to this incident and want to remind residents that explosives are not accepted at our SafeChem drop-off sites because they pose potential dangers for our staff and community.”
After being secured, the cannonball was analyzed using high-definition X-ray equipment by GRPD and the Michigan State Police. At the time of the report, experts could not confirm whether the object contained an explosive component.
Deputy Chief Mike Maycroft of the Grand Rapids Police Department, a certified bomb technician, emphasized the importance of handling historical or military items with caution. “Don’t put it in recycling, drop it off at a second-hand store or throw it away. Don’t assume just because it’s old, it is inactive. The cannonball will undergo further analysis, as well as additional research to confirm its age and origins. Hopefully we can render it fully safe using methods that allow us to preserve this piece of history.”
When in doubt, reach out
The Department of Public Works encourages anyone in Kent County who comes across military ordnance or other suspicious materials to contact local law enforcement or the Kent County Sheriff’s Office before taking any action, and urges residents to use DPW’s SafeChem drop-off sites and the associated Swap Shop, responsibly to protect both human health and the environment. For a full list of what is accepted, residents can visit reimaginetrash.org. For guidance on hazardous waste disposal or to speak with DPW staff, residents can call 616-632-7920.
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