Local Bomb Squad Looking to Expand

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Story Published: Aug 15, 2008 at 5:28 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 12:43 AM MST

By Rick Montañez

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BONNEVILLE COUNTY - A bomb squad may be coming to a city near you. It was back in October when the Idaho Falls Police Department officially established east Idaho's only bomb squad.

Now, other police agencies are jumping on board.

Friday, the Idaho Falls Police Department confirmed with Channel 3 Eyewitness News, they have been in talks with Bonneville and Bannock County Sheriff's offices and the Pocatello Police Department about expanding the bomb squad.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but Lt. Joe Cawley tells Eyewitness News its all about taking advantage of more resources.

"I think that the reason most of us are in the business is for people's safety," says Lt. Joe Cawley of the Idaho Falls Police Department.

This was the scene in February 2007 at Broadway Ford in Idaho Falls. Workers there found a pipe bomb attached to the bottom of an SUV. A few months later, in Ucon old dynamite is found under the porch of this home. Each time bomb squads from other parts of the state were called in.

"Everything shuts down for 2 to 2 and half hours and the people that we call, they're getting here as quickly as they can but still have to be safe," says Lt. Cawley.

now there's a possibility that the bomb squad can be dispatched safely from your neighborhood.

"We're lucky enough to have two great individuals on our squad and some fantastic equipment. So we'd like to be able to share that with the region," says Lt. Cawley.

Details aren't ironed out yet, but these talks open up the opportunity for more resources like equipment, money and man power.

"It still may be a while before something is signed," says Lt. Cawley. "It the opportunity is there and we can do it, we'll certainly offer it."

There have also been a few bomb scares in Bannock County, which is why they're looking to get in on the bomb squad. Right now most of the funding for the bomb squad comes from federal grant money.

And some of that money has already been spent on a bomb robot. That should arrive in Idaho Falls in the next month or so.

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