TOMS RIVER – Things have returned to normal at Community Medical Center after some tense moments involving a suspicious device caused panic and speculation Monday evening, especially on social media. It also led to local, county, state police and even the bomb squad to respond to the hospital. However, the device that was found was not an explosive.
Despite the authorities moving in and responding to the scene, they issued a text alert that there was no danger to the public and that people should avoid the area as a precaution.
While there are some published reports saying that the incident was a bomb treat, others say there wasn’t an actual threat.
News 12 New Jersey Reporter Jim Murdoch reported on Facebook that he spoke to Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick. His report said a patient had checked into the psychiatric ward carrying a clock with wires, batteries and cans. It looked suspicious. As a result, New Jersey State Police came to check it out and determined it was not a threat and everyone was allowed back inside. There was also no actual threat made.
This didn’t stop a flurry of misinformation on various social media pages to pop up. Some posts claimed that the man walked in with the device strapped to his body – although we have not been able to confirm if that was true or not.
Photo courtesy Exit 82 Scanner News
There were some posts of people complaining that the authorities weren’t being transparent enough while others were checking in on relatives who were either being treated at the facility or those who worked there.
RWJ Barnabas Health, the owner and operators of Community Medical Center, issued the following statement: State and local law enforcement have just provided the all-clear after conducting a brief investigation at Community Medical Center. A dozen or so patients were temporarily moved out of an abundance of caution and have been safely returned. The safety of our patients and team members is always our number one priority.
No one was injured and if Jersey Shore Online gets additional information regarding this incident, we will provide an update.
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