The City Of San Marcos Releases Statement Regarding Suspicious Package Diligence

In the last month, there have been four explosions in Austin from packages. State and Federal Law Enforcement have responded to approximately 1,257 calls about suspicious packages since March 12. 

By, Staff

In the last month, there have been four explosions in Austin. State and Federal Law Enforcement have responded to  approximately 1,257 calls about suspicious packages since March 12. 

Employees at a FedEx distribution center in Schertz, Texas, were evacuated after a package exploded in the sorting area of the facility. One employee, who was closest to the explosion, was treated for ringing in her ears and released on the scene.

A second suspicious package was called in around 6:20 AM at the FedEx distribution center near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on McKinney Falls Parkway.

Sunset Valley police have closed off a FedEx Office on Brodie Lane in Sunset Valley where the Federal Bureau of Investigation believes at least one of the packages was shipped from. Police have been holding the perimeter while FBI agents investigate inside. 

In response to the recent bombing incidents in Austin and Schertz, the City of San Marcos, through Police Chief Chase Stapp, provides the following statement to the community:

The San Marcos Police Department has been monitoring the situation involving explosives attacks in the Austin area very closely.

Last week, members of the City’s emergency response and emergency management leadership teams met to discuss our response to incidents involving suspicious packages in San Marcos.

We are confident that the response protocols we set in place during that meeting are appropriate and will help to keep our employees and residents safe in the event of an actual attack.

Since the incidents in Austin began, we have responded to several calls involving suspicious packages.  None of the responses have involved confirmed threat packages but rather innocuous and routine packages.

We are asking residents to remain vigilant about observing their surroundings. Packages or people which appear to be suspicious should be reported to the Police Department for investigation. 

Do not approach or disturb suspicious packages, but if you find yourself close enough to one to observe it, please make note of its appearance.

Our police dispatchers will ask reporting parties questions about the appearance of the package, and any details callers can provide are very helpful.

Any details about the package wrapping, writings or marking on the package, the appearance or lack of shipping labels, wires protruding from the package, or substances leaking from the package are important to note. 

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain confident that the diligence of the community, partnered with the preparation and response protocols of the City’s emergency management team, will help ensure the well- being and safety of our employees and residents.