The Floyd County Bomb Squad was dispatched to Restoration Rome Tuesday morning after a suspicious package was found next to the building (video).
According to Sergeant Ryan Hutchins with the Rome Police Department, officers responded to the former Southeast Elementary School on Crane Street at 7:44 after an employee found the package. The package was deemed safe by the bomb squad and the “all clear” was given at around 10:00am
Rome Police are reviewing video and following up on leads as the investigation continues.
Restoration Rome sent out a news release following the incident:
At approximately 7:44a m Tuesday morning, the facilities manager for the Restoration Rome Center for Foster Care Services called 911 after discovering a suspicious package during a routine morning walk-around of the building. Initially, the package was deemed to be an early morning donation drop-off, but based on a closer inspection, authorities were called according to security protocols.
Rome City Police secured the building and area while the bomb squad assessed the situation, deemed the package non-hazardous, and removed it pending any further investigation. As of 10:00 am, Restoration Rome was reopened for daily activities.
“We consider security to be one of our top priorities,” said Jeff Mauer, President, and Co-Founder of Global Impact International, the ministry that oversees Restoration Rome. “There is an inherent need for heightened awareness of our surroundings and the safety of the children, families, and the local community served by Restoration Rome every day.”
“We are thankful to have dedicated and professional law enforcement in our community that were quick to respond to our call. They are important partners in the work we are doing.”
The Restoration Rome Center for Foster Care Services is located on the site of the former Southeast Elementary School Building. Currently, there are seven children service agencies with working offices at the facility. Global Impact International recently announced a building campaign to repurpose more than 90% of the building to provide a centralized hub for foster care services in Floyd County.
(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)
