What kind of person threatens to bomb a cancer hospital (I know: a crazy, evil person)? Biting my nails worrying about a friend whose hospital in Tampa is under a serious bomb threat. They're trying to get everyone out and to safety, but can you imagine? Some of the patients are so terribly, terribly ill. Good thoughts for them, please.
skimom2 not seeing a hospital in Tampa on news- Only the one in Sarasota which is all clear now.
Sarasota police investigated a “suspicious” item found on a sidewalk near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, at U.S. 41 and Arlington Street. The item was later deemed to be no threat. SARASOTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TBO.com staff
Published: July 22, 2015 | Updated: July 22, 2015 at 12:10 PM
A bird house discovered Wednesday morning outside Sarasota Memorial Hospital had been altered, with fuses coming out of the top and wires from the bottom, police said.
The item, which also had a plastic jug attached, was deemed a “suspicious package” by police for about two hours before bomb-squad robots were deployed to investigate. Meantime, the hospital was placed on a lockdown, several patients were relocated and nearby buildings were evacuated.
An investigation continues to determine who placed the bird house on the sidewalk, at U.S. 41 and Arlington Street. The item was located by hospital securoity about 8 a.m.
After bomb-squad robots got a closer look, authorities determined the bird house was no threat.
Until then, Sarasota Memorial was placed on a “diversion” lockdown, meaning no patients were allowed in and out. Patients were temporarily relocated from the part of the building closest to the investigation.
“Not the way any of us expected to start the day!” the hospital said in a Twitter post.
Roads in the vicinity were closed about two hours, until the “all clear” was given.