I-Team: Ware "Hazmat incident" costly

WARE, Mass. (WWLP) - A bomb scare and ensuing search on Sunday October 21 cost the town of Ware more than $10,000.  Poor communication during the search led to rumors swirling around the town of everything from a chemical bomb to a training exercise.   The scare began following an anonymous call.  

The day after the search Ware Police Sergeant Shawn Crevier told 22News that there is no threat to the public, and that they will not be conducting any more searches.  During the search, police dogs and state police helicopters were used. Even the National Guard and the state Environmental Protection Agency were put on standby.

Residents first knew something was going on when at around 7:30 Sunday morning they received what is known as a reverse 911 call. Town officials provided few updates during the day, however. Until the threat was found to be unfounded, they had labeled the event only a "hazardous materials situation," and said that they were searching in the area for "suspicious activity" related to the situation.

Ware Town Accountant Tracy Meehan told 22News the costs for Police and Fire personnel for that day were approximately $10,600.