ITEM OF CONCERN ON SCHOOL PROPERTY TURNS OUT TO BE DOG WASTE BAG DISPENSER

McMinnville PD officers responded to Patton Middle School on Monday, December 18th, 2023, at about 10:35 AM on the report of an object on school grounds that reportedly looked like a “hand grenade.” The item was observed in the grass field near the running track, away from any school buildings. All the students were secured inside the school by middle school staff during the ensuing investigation.

Af...ter immediately securing the area, officers started communicating with Oregon State Police Bomb Squad personnel. The officers also utilized the department’s drone to obtain close-up photographs of the item without having to approach it. After reviewing the photographs, the item was determined to be a dog waste bag dispenser that is manufactured to resemble a hand grenade (see accompanying photograph). The item was removed from school property and school activities returned to normal.