July 10, 2019 – Santa Fe College police began investigating a suspicious package found outside the gymnasium on the Northwest Campus around 8 p.m. Tuesday. An individual walking their dog discovered the package on the sidewalk on the north side of the gym and notified police. Following a brief investigation of the package, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office was notified and the bomb squad was dispatched. North Road, and the area surrounding the SF Gym was closed off for several hours as authorities investigated the scene. The ACSO disrupted the package, the contents were not considered to be dangerous and only modeling clay was found.
SFPD Chief Ed Book is thankful for the individual for calling in after seeing the package, and encourages anyone who sees anything suspicious to contact them. All SF employees are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and to take advantage of the Safe Santa Fe resources available at the college. SF also utilizes the Safe Santa Fe app, available for both Apple and Android devices, to provide information to students, faculty and staff in emergency situations.
The college’s Safety and Risk Management also encourages employees to be familiar with the college’s Emergency Procedures, which are available on the college’s website.