Wayward Wieners

Oni · 01-07-2016, 11:03 AM

Apparently someone thought it would be funny to drop off a "suspicious package" containing hotdog wieners. Police thought it was of malicious nature and acted accordingly. Someone has a sense of humor.

Code:
FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) -

Florence police blocked off Seminary Street after a suspicious package was found at the post office on Wednesday morning. 

Police confirmed they found hot dogs wrapped in aluminum foil inside the suspicious bags.

Police said around 7 a.m., a post office employee noticed a suspicious package behind one of the columns on the entryway to the building.

Police were called in and blocked off the area.

The police chief said two bags were oddly placed out front, which caused suspicion. When bomb techs arrived, they used equipment to scan bags, and because of what they saw and out of precaution, they expanded the perimeter. 

Bomb techs used their robot to get the bags put in a special vehicle and take it to an undisclosed location for further examination.

Police said while they were glad the situation ended without injury to property or life, they made no apologies for their course of action.

"We don't have the privilege of dealing in probabilities; we have to consider all possibilities," said Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler. "We can't guess wrong. We can't assume anything, because if we assume wrong at the wrong time at the wrong location, it could cost somebody their lives."

Though money and resources were used in Wednesday's incident, it is an investment the community ultimately understands.

"It does cost money, but that's what the community expects," Tyler said. "It's what we're prepared for and we understand, from time to time, you have to designate resources to an incident like this - and those resources are just necessary."

Wildwood Tavern, a restaurant and bar in Florence, posted on Facebook and alluded that the hot dogs came from their kitchen:

"BREAKING NEWS: Today marks the first time one of our delicious dogs has ever been opened by a robot and accused of being a bomb. "The Atomic Dog" is officially famous... We are offering $1 OFF ALL HOT DOGS ALL DAY!"

All jokes aside, employees said they were thankful Florence police did what they did to ensure safety.

"At the end of the day, I thought about it, and I thought I understand what it looked like and it's something that wasn't supposed to be taken lightly," said co-owner Tyler Ross. "It's good they did what they did, and we're glad it wasn't what they thought it was."

It is still unclear how the bags of hot dogs got there in the first place.

Source: WTVM