Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo are advising residents that a military ordinance was safely discarded by Essex County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad.

Chief Strumolo said at approx. 3:45 PM yesterday a magnet fisherman pulled an unexploded military shell from beneath the Passaic River. The fisherman immediately notified police who cordoned off Park Ave. Rt 21, River Rd and the Lyndhurst Bridge until the bomb squad arrived. The shell believed to be live was then secured and removed to a safe location to be detonated.

Police Director Petracco said that was quick thinking for the fisherman to get away and notify police. He commended police and fire and thanked Belleville, Lyndhurst and the Essex County Sherriff’s Department for assisting us in safeguarding everyone in the area.