Improvised explosive device removed from Cedar Rapids alleyway

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Metro Hazardous Devices Unit removed an improvised explosive device from an alley behind a residence on the 1700 block of Park Ave. SE Tuesday morning.

Police were called to the area just before 11 a.m. for a report of a suspicious item in the alley, according to a news release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The area was blocked off while technicians from the hazardous devices unit determined the suspicious item was an improvised explosive device, and safely removed and mitigated it.

The release did not specify what the device was made of. The incident is still being actively investigated.

The Johnson STEAM Academy, which is located nearby, was notified of the incident and went into a partial lockdown until it was resolved, according to Laurel Day, executive administrator to the superintendent for the Cedar Rapids Community School District. A partial lockdown means all outside facing doors of the building are locked, no one is allowed in the building, and no one goes outside for recess or gym for the duration of the lockdown.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Hazardous Devices Unit is made up of individuals from the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, the Linn County Sheriff Department and the Marion Police Department.

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