UPDATE, 5:51 pm: From Berwick Police Department:
“As of 5:30 PM, the scene behind the Berwick Civic Center was deemed safe. The Louisiana State Police Hazmat Unit arrived on the scene early Tuesday morning and after an assessment, they notified the US Army’s EOD Unit to be in route to handle the matter. The EOD Unit arrived around 3:00 PM and was able to make the object safe and took it into their possession so it can be properly identified then safely disposed of. The Berwick Police Department appreciates the Louisiana State Police and the US Army for their assistance with this matter. The police department also appreciates the public’s cooperation during the handling of this incident as well.”
Click here to watch video coverage from the scene.
On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 9:00AM, the Berwick Police Department was contacted by the Town of Berwick Public Work’s department who reported that a crew dug up what appears to be a civil war era cannon ball. The item was located while the crews were doing routine cleaning of the drainage ditches in a ditch along the wood line behind the Berwick Civic Center. It is unknown if the object has an explosive charge or if its just a solid ball, however out of an abundance of caution, the Louisiana State Police Hazmat and EOD Units were contacted and they are currently en route to the scene. Although the object is approximately a quarter of a mile behind the Civic Center, the Day Care Center, and a half of a mile from the Berwick High and Junior High Schools respectively, each school was made aware of this matter and are operating as normal, but under a cautionary status. There are currently no road closures or residential evacuations due to it being a far distance from the nearest homes. The Berwick Police Department is not allowing anyone to access the rear of the Civic Center until the area is deemed safe by the Louisiana State Police. The public will be made aware once this scene is considered safe.