Police responded to a report of a suspicious box outside V.I. National Guard (VING) headquarters at Five Corners on St. Croix Wednesday morning. After investigating the scene, authorities determined the box was empty and posed no threat, according to the V.I. National Guard.
The Guard’s security manager, Sgt. 1st Class Leonard Frett Sr. was conducting a routine walk of the grounds of the O’Neale Building when he observed a suspicious box perched on the perimeter hedge on the south side adjacent to the main public road.
The private commercial building is shared by VING and the V.I. Waste Management Authority.
The police officer who responded called for additional support after a visual assessment. Traffic was rerouted in the area while officers performed a sweep on both sides of the street. After it was determined that the box was empty, all roadways were cleared for traffic and work to resume in the area, according to the Guard.
Frett is credited with attention to detail and activating the Guard’s force-protection-response plan.
"Attitude toward security is most important," said Master Sgt. Karen Williams, VING public affairs officer. "We are trained to be alert for suspicious persons or activities, and to report them to the proper authorities," she said.
