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Summary of 11/21/04 Meeting |
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Neighbors,
Thanks for showing up in such numbers Sunday night at The Hermitage. I
regret
that the crowd was so large that many people weren’t able to get in. Next
time,
it may be better to have the meeting at Holton, where there is more
seating.
In retrospect, I should have thought about that beforehand, so I apologize
to
those interested citizens and neighbors who were frustrated.
I’d like to thank our fine neighbors, The Hermitage, for hosting us. I’d
also like
to thank all the City and state officials who attended, demonstrating
their
commitment to getting this problem solved. Among them were Del. Viola
Baskerville, Councilman-elect Chris Hilbert, City Manager Calvin Jamison,
Fire Chief Larry Tunstall, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michelle
Welch (also a neighbor), and RPD Lt. Brian Russell.
To recap, the bottom line is that the City staff does not have a
definitive
cause at this time. However, I can assure you that there is an army of
people,
from fire department, police, public utilities, public works and other
agencies,
on the case. The state department of emergency management and state
department of environmental quality have been brought in for their
expertise
and resources to assist. I’ve been out there on the scene with these
departments,
and there are a lot of people working very hard and competently on getting
to
the bottom of this situation. As a matter of fact, as I write this, there
are a
dozen people meeting at the police academy coordinating efforts and
analyzing
theories.
Every manhole cover and storm sewer inlet in the area has been inspected
and
tested for gas readings or other possible causes.
That has not turned up anything.
Also perplexing is that there has been no physical evidence (blown manhole
covers, charring) of incendiary explosion.
The USGS has seismic equipment located in Richmond, and they say that
there
is no reading indicating earthquake activity. A couple of citizens
helpfully
suggested that there might be bedrock splitting or other subterranean
events
that wouldn’t be picked up. That is worth more study.
The investigation is complicated further by our inability to pinpoint the
exact
origin point or points.
Richmond has a combined storm and sanitary sewer system (not the best, but
typical of older cities) which has the effect of venting gases. We’ve
checked,
and haven’t yet found any significant methane or natural gas situations.
Some suggestions have been made that these explosions may have been
deliberately created by someone. We are following up on that as well to
see
if there might be anything to it.
To date, the City has not found any evidence to suggest that there is any
danger to persons or property. That said, the explosions could cause
damage
to the gas lines, so this situation will be monitored closely. If there is
any risk
to public health, you will hear about it immediately.
So many calls have come in about the explosions to 911 that the system
became
swamped on at least two occasions. We have asked that citizens call 911 in
two
situations: if there is any damage or physical risk to person or property,
or if
anyone observes any suspicious activity. Otherwise, the non-emergency
number,
646-5100, should be called for the time being. We are looking into setting
up a
special call line and email address to help take the load off of that
system.
Getting the reports is helpful, because by getting the times and addresses
the
staff can get a better idea of the origin points.
Here is what is going on in the immediate future:
 | The City will mobilize a continuing inspection of the area to
measure
for any gas leaks or other evidence.
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| The police will have a higher presence in the area, and follow up on
any leads about human involvement in this situation.
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| Potential causes that have been “ruled out” will be re-evaluated.
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| The City’s department of emergency services is looking into setting
up a series of microphones to help triangulate the origin points.
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| A task force of citizens is being formed to help collect ideas
and information from the public, and to carry information from the
staff back out to the neighborhoods.
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| We will have a follow up public meeting in around a month.
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| Outside agencies may be called in. One possibility is the federal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The City routinely brings
in outside experts as needed, and will in this case as well.
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| The City’s director of emergency services, Ben Johnson, offered up
his email for suggestions or theories. That is
johnsowb@ci.richmond.va.us
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| Two citizens have set up web sites for the public. One is at
http://members.aol.com/mysteriousboom/, and the other is at
http://www.northsidebooms.blogspot.com/.
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While I would obviously have wished that Sunday night’s meeting would
have
been to announce a cause and remediation of it, the fact is that the City
needs
to keep communicating its steps and progress with the public. I’ll see to
it that
we are distributing information as I get it, and we’ll have a follow up
meeting
in about a month unless there is a reason to do it earlier.
Keep the faith,
Bill Pantele
2nd District City Councilman
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| On Today's (11/23/04) Developments |
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This morning the City’s investigation lead to the discovery of several
pressure
bomb devices in the Laburnum Road area. These are devices that produce
more
noise than anything else, but would certainly send a shock wave and loud
boom
down the sewer system. The area has been closed off, and other areas are
being
inspected at this time.
There is no safety danger, based on what we have found so far. If that
changes,
you will know about it ASAP.
This is being treated as a criminal investigation that is ongoing, so a
number of
details about what was found, who might be responsible, etc., will have to
be
withheld for the time being. I hope you will understand. As I am able, I
will
provide you with more details in the near future.
Meanwhile, we have not discontinued the investigation of other possible
causes.
Crews are still hard at work checking out other potential contributing
causes.
I again want to express my appreciation to the City workers, police
officers, fire
fighters and many others who have been working very professionally and
diligently
on this situation here in the north side. Their job is mostly done out of
public
view and is mostly always underappreciated. Once again, they have done a
great
job, and I look forward to being able to tell you all, very soon, that
this chapter
in our neighborhood’s history has been closed.
Bill Pantele
2nd District City Councilman
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