(The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review posted the following article by David Conti on its website on March 29.)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Three homemade firebombs found on a railroad line in Windgap early Friday were likely the work of neighborhood youths, Pittsburgh police said.
Bomb squad technicians doubt the three devices were part of a terrorist plot to destroy the Norfolk Southern freight line. But the discovery highlights a trend since U.S.-led forces invaded Iraq more than a week ago: Yesterday’s was the 10th bomb squad call in a week.
“I guess people are being more attentive to current events in the world,” city police Officer Joseph Sweeney said. “If people would also be more careful about leaving items like backpacks and packages around, we wouldn’t be running around so much.”
The bomb squad called a news conference outside its Strip District headquarters yesterday to discuss the sudden rise in “suspicious package” calls. Of the 10 recent calls, only two have turned up items that could be dangerous.