AT approximately 8 a.m. on Tuesday, New Westminster Police were flagged down by a concerned citizen about a possible explosive device placed inside a mailbox. Police rushed to the scene and secured a perimeter. The RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit arrived to assess the mailbox.
Some street level businesses were evacuated between Hamilton Street and Eighth Street. 6th Street was closed to traffic from Eighth Avenue to Sixth Avenue.
After several hours, it was determined that there was no threat to public safety. 6th Street is now open to traffic and businesses and now accessible. Police are now in the early stages of determining the source of the mailbox tampering.
“We treat every threat as real until we can determine otherwise,” said Media Relations Officer Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “While this does cause a disruption, it’s paramount that we take steps to keep people safe.”
If you know anything about this incident, police encourage you to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411. Police thanked residents, businesses and drivers for their patience. They also thanked the RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit for their assistance and expertise.
