[CPEO-MEF] Navy Changes on the Homefront

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Washington
THE SUN LINK
Navy Changes on the Homefront
Hunt for ammunition continues in Jackson Park
Chris Barron
October 29, 2003

Sitting on top of a former ammunition depot, Jackson Park Naval Housing
Area is receiving a thorough underground examination that has unearthed
a surprising amount of ordnance.

Since April, the Navy has discovered hundreds of pieces of World War
II-era ammunition where children play and families live at West Sound's
second-largest Navy housing area.

The Navy said the 50-year-old ammunition, which is not armed and has
never been fired, is not a greater threat today than it was when Jackson
Park was built in the early 1970s.

However, officials continue to caution residents not to touch any
metallic items that could be ammunition.

Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they discover what they believe
is a piece of ammunition.

"Nothing's changed regarding your safety or the risk," Naval Station
Bremerton Commanding Officer Capt. T.J. Dargan told a group of residents
Monday night at Jackson Park. "I just want you to understand what is
going on, and I want you to educate your kids."

The Navy is walking over each square foot of land in the housing area
with sophisticated metal detectors sensitive enough to detect an foil
candy wrapper under the ground.

As part of a cleanup effort that began in 1998, the Navy is mapping out
and finding ammo left in the ground from before, during and after World
War II.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.thesunlink.com/redesign/2003-10-29/local/297484.shtml

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