Date: Sun, Apr 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM
Subject: Safety Alert from Washtenaw County Sheriff's
From: Keith Mansell
Date: Sun, Apr 18, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Subject: York Twp.
Good morning to you all. I want to make you aware of a recent incidentthat occurred this morning in York Twp. This type of incident directlyaffects your safety as well as your children's safety. This morning,at approximately 8:00 am, I was dispatched to an address, on Bemis Rdnear the Saline City Limits, for an unexploded pop bottle bomb. When Iarrived, I noticed a 20 ounce pop bottle, on the ground, in thecallers front yard. After I inspected it closer, I determined that itwas in fact a "Works" Bomb. I was able to clear the device away fromthe house and once I moved it, it detonated itself within 30 seconds.After leaving that house, I checked other yards in the area during mypatrols. I located a second one, just a few doors down from the firstone. As I took care of the disposal/detonation, the homeowner came outand asked me what it was. When I showed her what it was, sheimmediately told me that she saw the bottle and that she had plannedon picking it up when she got her morning paper. Like the first one,once I moved it, it detonated in short order. There was a highprobability that this would have detonated in her hand/face while shecarried it to the trash.
A "Works" Bomb is Drain-o and Tin Foil, mixed together inside of abottle. The chemical reaction between the Drain-o and the Tin Foilmakes a volatile build up of gases and subsequently detonates thebottle with a great amount of force. Once the detonation occurs, thechemical substance that is in the bottle is actually boiling liquid.
The amount of force that is generated at the time of the explosion isenough to severe fingers and also deliver 2nd and 3rd degree chemicalburns to the victim. The chemicals can possibly cause blindness andthe toxic fumes can be harmful.
**SAFETY**SAFETY**SAFETY***..........When you are out and about inyour yards, please be mindful of these devices. If your picking upyour morning paper, or mowing your grass, or if you let your childrenout to play; whatever your activities are, please use the followingprecautions.
1) If you find a soda bottle or any other bottles, examine itcarefully before you touch it or get near it. If it shows signs ofswelling, or melting in any way, DO NOT TOUCH IT! Call 911 and let usrespond to take care of it.
2) If you find a soda bottle that has any liquid in it, DO NOT TOUCHIT! Call 911 and let us respond to check it / dispose of it.
Both bombs this morning appeared to be slightly swollen, with a darkcolored liquid, inside of it. This liquid could have easily beenmistaken for left over soda.
I know that calling 911 for a soda bottle may sound silly or like amisuse of your Police protection but trust me, it is not. You do notwant one of these devices detonating in your hand or your children'shands or in your pets face. We are here to incur the danger for you sothat you are and your loved ones are not harmed. So please check youryard thoroughly before letting your children out to play and bemindful before you just deem that soda bottle as garbage and pick itup.
In closing, please educate your children on the dangers andconsequences of making these devices. It has become popular with theyouth in the past few years, to do this as a prank, but there havebeen some changes to the law. Not only could it be deadly to the makeror the victim, but making one these devices is called, "Possession ofa Substance with Explosive Capabilities". If it causes no damage, itsa 15 year Felony. If it causes damage, its a 20 year Felony. If itcauses physical injury, its a 25 year Felony. If it causes seriousinjury, the penalty can be "Up to life", and if it causes death, itsMandatory Life without the possibility of Parole. These are statutoryguidelines only. These penalties are what could be imposed but it doesnot necessarily mean that these penalties would be imposed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to callme or send me an email. Please be safe and have a great day.
Keith
