Bomb scare disrupts terrorism drill, closes MAX line
Posted by The Oregonian October 18, 2007 14:32PM
Categories: Portland, Top Stories
Posted by The Oregonian October 18, 2007 14:32PM
Categories: Portland, Top Stories
The Topoff dirty-bomb drill turned into a real-life bomb scare this afternoon after a trio of bomb-sniffing dogs alerted authorities to possible explosives on the first floor of the parking garage of the Doubletree Hotel Portland at 1000 NE Multnomah Street. Michael Chertoff, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was scheduled to be at the hotel for part of the Topoff counterterrorism exercise later in the day.
Portland police cordoned off several blocks around the Lloyd Center, marking off the area with hundreds of feet of yellow tape blowing in the afternoon wind. They also shut down MAX trains through the area, and alerted people inside the hotel and surrounding buildings. Some in chose buildings chose to evacuate, while others remained in place.
By 3:45 p.m., Police spokesman Brian Schmautz said officials "were comfortable" there was nothing sinister going on. Shortly after that, TriMet spokeswoman Peggy LaPoint said the red and blue MAX lines were back open in both directions through the area.
Nonetheless, Topoff activities at the hotel were quickly canceled earlier in the afternoon. Schmautz said officers had been sweeping the area in advance of visits by Chertoff and high-ranking military personnel using a pair of "explosives sensitive" police dogs. "One dog got an alert at this car. The second dog was called in and also gave an alert." A third dog later came to the parking garage, and had the same reaction as the first two.
Authorities initially focused on one vehicle, which turned out to be owned by a participant in the Topoff exercise. The car's owner was quickly located and cooperated, and police later expanded the search to other vehicles on the first floor of the garage. It was windy, Schmautz said, so it's possible the dogs picked up smells from any of several vehicles in the area.
There are a number of military and Homeland Security employees in the area for the counterterrorism exercise, so Schmautz says it's possible one of their vehicles inadvertently picked up explosive residue or something else that might set off the dogs.
"It's very unusual to have a concentration of military and law enforcement vehicles in the same place," Schmautz said. He said explosive residue can get "baked in" to vehicles, noting that members of the Portland Police explosives team frequently set off alarms in airports because residue is in the fabric of their clothing.
Before 2 p.m., a crowd of people, many them streaming out of the mall and unable to get to their cars in a parking lot, gathered at Northeast 13th Avenue and Multnomah Street. Some asked officers near the yellow police tape if scene was part of the terror drill. "This is not a drill, m'am," said one officer. Others complained about not being able to catch buses and the MAX trains.
A street preacher stopped on the corner, warning people walking past that they were witnessing the end times. "It's time to come to Jesus Christ," he said.
The Topoff drill is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning with a wrap-up briefing, as participants evaluate how things went this week.
-- Joseph Rosemailto:Rosejosephrose@news.oregonian.com
Portland police cordoned off several blocks around the Lloyd Center, marking off the area with hundreds of feet of yellow tape blowing in the afternoon wind. They also shut down MAX trains through the area, and alerted people inside the hotel and surrounding buildings. Some in chose buildings chose to evacuate, while others remained in place.
By 3:45 p.m., Police spokesman Brian Schmautz said officials "were comfortable" there was nothing sinister going on. Shortly after that, TriMet spokeswoman Peggy LaPoint said the red and blue MAX lines were back open in both directions through the area.
Nonetheless, Topoff activities at the hotel were quickly canceled earlier in the afternoon. Schmautz said officers had been sweeping the area in advance of visits by Chertoff and high-ranking military personnel using a pair of "explosives sensitive" police dogs. "One dog got an alert at this car. The second dog was called in and also gave an alert." A third dog later came to the parking garage, and had the same reaction as the first two.
Authorities initially focused on one vehicle, which turned out to be owned by a participant in the Topoff exercise. The car's owner was quickly located and cooperated, and police later expanded the search to other vehicles on the first floor of the garage. It was windy, Schmautz said, so it's possible the dogs picked up smells from any of several vehicles in the area.
There are a number of military and Homeland Security employees in the area for the counterterrorism exercise, so Schmautz says it's possible one of their vehicles inadvertently picked up explosive residue or something else that might set off the dogs.
"It's very unusual to have a concentration of military and law enforcement vehicles in the same place," Schmautz said. He said explosive residue can get "baked in" to vehicles, noting that members of the Portland Police explosives team frequently set off alarms in airports because residue is in the fabric of their clothing.
Before 2 p.m., a crowd of people, many them streaming out of the mall and unable to get to their cars in a parking lot, gathered at Northeast 13th Avenue and Multnomah Street. Some asked officers near the yellow police tape if scene was part of the terror drill. "This is not a drill, m'am," said one officer. Others complained about not being able to catch buses and the MAX trains.
A street preacher stopped on the corner, warning people walking past that they were witnessing the end times. "It's time to come to Jesus Christ," he said.
The Topoff drill is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning with a wrap-up briefing, as participants evaluate how things went this week.
-- Joseph Rosemailto:Rosejosephrose@news.oregonian.com
STOP: Back to me. Yea we got out of our seminar at the hotel to find that are cars were all stuck in the parking garage. Well all but mine, so we (My manager, and two of my co-workers) figured, lets go grab some lunch... so we did... and the cars were still stuck, we went and replaced my flat tire. Yes It was a good day. Still the cars were stuck... Then we stopped by one of the the stores for our company down town and chatted with them for a momement... Then we went to catch a movie. We get there pick our movie... and then get the call that it is good to get and get the cars. YEA... A whole day wasted, but really my boss was there, so I don't have to make an excuse. ;)
Well that is all. I am now going to get some work done.
