Updated 1:30 p.m. Thursday
Stratford police released the following information about yesterday's incident outside Stratford Town Hall:
The Stratford Police received a call for a suspicious package (Wednesday) at approximately 9:30 a.m.
The complainant stated that an unknown white male had pulled his car over on Main Street near Town Hall. The male then placed a garbage can in the roadway, upside down.
The complainant stated that they were unsure but the male may have placed a package under the garbage can. The male then drove off leaving the upside can in the travel portion of the road.
Officers responded and treated the incident a suspicious package. Main Street was shut down from Barnum Avenue to Broadbridge Avenue. All local businesses and schools were either evacuated or the students were moved to a safe area of the school and secured.
Members of the New Haven Police Department Emergency Services Unit (Bomb Squad) responded and checked the package. After completing their investigation, which included X-Ray the area was declared safe. The road was reopened and local business and schools returned to normal business.
The police thank all those in the area who cooperated with the investigation and disruption of their day. The nature of these calls and recent events dictate that we take complaints such as these seriously and the Stratford police continue to encourage all say something if they see something.
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Updated 12:20 p.m.
The suspicious package at Stratford Town Hall that caused nearby Stratford High School to be placed in "stay put" mode for two hours Wednesday morning was determined to be "an overturned trash can," according to StratfordCTAlert's Twitter page (@STFD911ALERT) and multiple news reports.
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Updated 11:40 a.m.
School officials say a "suspicious package dropped off on the sidewalk at Town Hall" prompted Stratford High School to go into "stay put" mode at 9:30 a.m. this morning.
The safety measure was lifted at about 11:25 a.m. The Stratford Board of Education explains in a message on its website:
"This morning, Stratford High School went into a 'Stay Put' at approximately 9:30 a.m. as a precaution.
"Earlier a suspicious parcel was dropped off on the sidewalk at Town Hall. The police were notified, and Main Street was closed in order for the authorities to complete their investigation.
"An 'All Clear' was given by the authorities at approximately 11:25 a.m., and Stratford High School resumed business, as normal.
"The school is no longer in 'Stay Put.' Administration took the necessary measures and reacted quickly and appropriately. There was no threat at any time to students or staff."
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Updated 11:30 a.m.
The scene at Stratford Town Hall is "all clear," WFSB reporter Robert Goulston is reporting from the scene, via his Twitter account.
A Connecticut State Police bomb squad had been on scene after a suspicious package was found there earlier this morning, according to the breaking news Twitter account @STFD911ALERT.
Before reporting that the scene was all clear and the bomb squad had left, Goulston tweeted the following, at about 11:15 a.m.
"Stratford police say someone saw a man get out of car and tip over trash can and possibly put something in it. Bomb Squad x-raying now."
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Our original report follows.
Stratford High in 'Stay Put' Mode as Officials Investigate Package at Town Hall
Stratford High School is in an "official stay put" mode as police and fire officials reportedly investigate a suspicious package found at Stratford Town Hall.
"Stratford High School is in an official 'Stay Put' until further notice," reads a message currently on the Stratford Board of Education's website. "More information will be posted soon."
Town hall has been evacuated and Main Street adjacent to the building is closed to traffic, WTNH reports.
Stratford Patch will provide updates to this breaking news story as they are made available.
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