A piece of potential old military ordnance discovered at Fort Sheridan over the weekend was determined to be an “inert device,” according to the Lake County Forest Preserves.
Multiple police jurisdictions responded Sunday morning to a report of a suspicious object in a heavily wooded area of Fort Sheridan near Davis Street, according to a Highland Park newsletter. It was found wedged between two rocks and “appeared to be a cannonball or similar ordnance.”
More Top Picks Sensory Processing Disorder Vs Autism Whats The Difference
The Waukegan Police Department bomb squad was called in to investigate and remove the object. The Lake County Forest Preserves Ranger Police Department assumed responsibility for the investigation.
According to a Forest Preserves representative, the bomb squad determined it was inert. The representative could not speak on the type or age of the object, and attempts to reach a bomb squad official were unsuccessful.
Old military ordnance isn’t unheard of for the area, with its prior use in military exercises. According to the Forest Preserves, areas that may contain old ordnance are marked by signage that visitors should obey, and suspicious objects should be reported.
Despite reports “from time to time,” the representative said the area has been analyzed and is “very safe.” A previously discovered object had also been inert, but it’s a good idea for people to call in reports, he said.
According to the Highland Park newsletter, old ordnance was previously discovered in the woods and water around Fort Sheridan. Residents should stay on established trails, and avoid areas with signage indicating possible locations for old military ordnance, “particularly in the vicinity of the Henry T. Chandler Jr. Bridge.”