How a stuffed animal shut down the Horry County government and Justice center
Some stuffed animals placed “out of the norm” led to a heavy police response and the shutdown of the Horry County Government and Justice Center on Monday morning.
Shortly after 5 a.m., police and fire crews responded to the Conway building for a report of a suspicious package. The facility was closed while investigators checked the area and determined it was safe around 7 a.m.
The package turned out to be a stuffed animal the 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office ordered through a grant program so it could be given to crime victims, said Kelly Moore, county spokeswoman.
The animal was placed “out of the norm” and it was a situation where emergency responders would rather be safe than sorry, Moore said. She admitted some might consider the response silly, but it was better than something disastrous happening.
Officials delayed the opening of the government and justice center, which includes all courts, until 9 a.m.
It is the second time a suspicious package was found at the facility this year. In February, the building was evacuated after a substance — which was later determined to be cocaine — was delivered to an office.
This story was originally published April 1, 2019 at 7:02 AM.
