---
title: "Downtown Suspicious Package Not Explosive in Grand Rapids"
url: https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/16/downtown-grand-rapids-suspicious-package-not-explosive/
date: 2026-10-16T05:20:37-04:00
modified: 2026-10-16T05:20:37-04:00
author: "Marcus Foster"
categories: ["Public Safety"]
site: "HERE Grand Rapids"
attribution: "HERE Grand Rapids"
---

# Downtown Suspicious Package Not Explosive in Grand Rapids

> GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A package that forced evacuations in downtown Grand Rapids on Wednesday night turned out to hold nothing explosive, the Grand Rapids Police Department said. Officers were called around 7:30 p.m. to the corner of Pearl Street NW and Ottawa Avenue. Police said both where the item sat and some of its

*Source: [HERE Grand Rapids](https://www.heregrandrapids.com/2026/10/16/downtown-grand-rapids-suspicious-package-not-explosive/) — October 16, 2026 by Marcus Foster*

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A package that forced evacuations in downtown Grand Rapids on Wednesday night turned out to hold nothing explosive, the Grand Rapids Police Department said.

Officers were called around 7:30 p.m. to the corner of Pearl Street NW and Ottawa Avenue. Police said both where the item sat and some of its features pointed to a possible improvised explosive device, so the area was closed off and the Bomb Squad was brought in.

Technicians first tried X-rays from a robot, but the images did not settle the question. The squad then had the robot fire a high-velocity water disruption shot to break the package open.

Once the item was deemed safe, streets reopened and people who had been moved out were allowed back. Deputy Chief Mike Maycroft, a member of the Bomb Squad, thanked nearby businesses for the steps they took to protect customers and workers.

A detective will look into whether there was any criminal intent. Police asked people with tips about the package to call the detective bureau at 616-456-3380.