South Jordan police clear potential threat near city hall

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — Police responded to a situation near the South Jordan City Hall but have since stated that the situation has been resolved.

According to the South Jordan Police Department (SJPD), officers responded to the area for an active incident. An individual reportedly called into the SJPD and stated that he had an explosive device.

Shaun Becker, Master Officer with the SJPD, stated that they were able to convince the individual to come down to the SJPD, where officers learned that the potential explosive was in the individual’s vehicle, which was located near city hall.

At the time, officers treated the explosive like a viable threat and cleared local businesses and the South Jordan City Hall. Additionally, officers notified the businesses and asked them to move their vehicles away from the individual’s vehicle.

SJPD also had to wait for the Unified Police Department’s Bomb Squad to respond to the scene.

After an investigation, law enforcement was able to determine that the potential explosive was actually a novelty fake grenade that was heavyweight and metal. Officer Becker stated that this is something that people can get at Navy surplus stores.

Investigators were able to clear the vehicle and area and let people back inside City Hall, the local library, and other businesses.

Officer Becker also emphasized the importance of taking potential threats seriously. She said, “If someone were to walk up to me on the street and said they had an explosive device, I would treat it as a viable threat until it is not.”

If you find something that may be an explosive, Officer Becker said to, “leave it where it’s at, contact your local law enforcement, let them know what you think they have, let us come out and make sure it’s not what you think.”

The individual who reported the explosive device is cooperating with the investigation and Becker noted that he believed it was a real explosive. Officer Becker did say it is an ongoing investigation, though the area has been cleared.