Unexploded Cannonball Brought to Chatham County Police Headquarters Prompts Building Closure

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A Chatham County resident unintentionally caused a major disruption Thursday, March 12th, after bringing what appeared to be an unexploded cannonball to police headquarters.

According to authorities, the resident arrived at the Chatham County Police Department building at 295 Police Memorial Drive just after 11:30 a.m. with the ordnance, explaining that she had discovered the device while cleaning out items in her home. She told officers the object had been in the residence for years and she believed bringing it to the police department was the safest way to dispose of it.

Because the object appeared to be an explosive device, officials immediately closed the headquarters building, which also houses a Chatham County Tax Commissioner Tag Office, and initiated safety protocols.

The Savannah Police Department and Savannah Fire Department responded to assist. Because the ordnance appeared to be military grade, the Fort Stewart bomb squad was called in to safely handle and remove the device.

Authorities said the resident had to wait several hours while the bomb squad cleared the ordnance from her vehicle before she could leave.

Officials noted that similar incidents have occurred before and reminded residents not to transport suspected explosives or hazardous materials to police stations or other public locations.

Instead, authorities urge residents to call 911 in an emergency or contact the non emergency line at 912-652-6500 so trained personnel can respond to the location and safely remove the item.

Police said the building has since reopened to the public.