Public Safety Blotter Articles

Bomb Squad Investigates Beeping Sound in Brighton Heights

Date: July 14, 2020
Incident Type: Bomb Squad Call-out
Location: Zone 1
Summary:

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police officers responded to a 911 call of a beeping sound coming from a blue US Postal Service mailbox at the intersection of Brighton Road and Benton Avenue around 6:20 a.m.

Zone 1 officers confirmed the suspicious beeping and called the Bomb Squad. Police closed multiple roads in the area and instructed residents to shelter in place. Pittsburgh Fire and EMS and the Postal Police also responded.

The Bomb Squad deployed technology to determine the source of the beeping. A remotely-operated Bomb Squad robot opened the mail box and displayed its contents on a mounted camera.

Around 8 a.m., it was determined that the beeping was coming from a device used to scan mail that a mail carrier had left in the box. The beeping indicates low battery power, not a threat.

Police reopened all roads by 8:20 a.m.


Reporting PIO:
Chris Togneri

2020-07-14
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov