Monterey County Bomb Squad spread thin through Superbowl weekend

While the Santa Cruz County Bomb Squad is stationed up in Santa Clara working security detail at the Superbowl, the Monterey County Bomb Squad has been assigned to all of the Monterey Bay.

“Our bomb squad has agreed to cover Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and parts of Santa Clara County for any bomb related, or any suspicious package related calls,” said Commander Thornburg with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office

The unit knows it’s a large area to cover and a comprehensive plan is needed.

“They’ve strategically placed their equipment so if they need to go to Santa Cruz, or to Monterey, or to Santa Clara, or to San Benito, there’s equipment close by that they can pick up on the way, respond to the scene, and be able to handle the call,” said Thornburg.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, it’s a big task, and often calls like Tuesday’s suspicious bottle require a lot of resources. Watsonville Fire Department said the bottle was reported by a DMV employee and ended up being harmless, with an unknown liquid and an object inside.

“That’s the most we can come up with as far as answers, is eliminating risk. Rarely do we specifically identify a liquid or a powder or a product,” said Tom Avila, Watsonville Fire Chief.

Monterey County is prepared to handle all four counties, making sure no protection is lost.

“In no way will this diminish the coverage of Monterey County or any of its citizens, the protection is still there. We’re happy to help the other agencies in the other regions of the state,” said Thornburg.

Bomb squad assignments will return to normal by Monday after the Superbowl.