WPD Update: Explosive ordnance discovered on Clay Street

WATERTOWN, NY —  The Watertown Police Department released the following statement on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019:

Last evening, a uniformed patrol officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Clay Street in reference to found property call.

The officer spoke with a Clay Street resident who reported he was excavating land adjacent to his house when he found a military shell.

The officer estimated the ordnance to be approximately 10” to 12” long and the metal appeared to be rusted.

Our officers contacted the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit at Fort Drum and a team of EOD technicians were sent to assist with examining the item.

As a precaution our officers evacuated the houses on the block and shut traffic down for the block.

In addition members of the City Fire Department and Guilfoyle Ambulance were placed on standby.

When the EOD team arrived they examined and collected the ordnance, which was removed from the City to Fort Drum for destruction.

By 9:45 PM, the street was reopened and occupants returned to their homes.

Joseph R. Donoghue Sr.
Detective Lieutenant