While San Marcos, Kyle, Buda and Hays County emergency professionals urge caution, Hays County Emergency Management Coordinator Kharley Bagley Smith said the bombings should not affect Hays County.
"There is no added concern for Hays County residents," Smith said." We do ask that people use their instincts because usually, their instincts are spot on. If something feels wrong or looks out of place, it usually is. We would rather people call it in and nothing be wrong than for a person to not do anything."
The first three bombs—one of which was set off March 2 and two on March 12—were hidden inside packages and placed on specific residents’ doorsteps located in East Austin. Those bombs killed two people and injured two others.
Austin’s Interim Chief of Police Brian Manley said the fourth bomb that exploded on March 18 was placed on the side of the road and was detonated by a tripwire. Two men received non life-threatening injuries as a result.
Tuesday’s early morning explosion on a conveyor belt of a FedEx facility northeast of San Antonio and 18 miles southeast of New Braunfels was the fifth bomb to detonate in Central Texas this month.
Kyle Fire Chief Kyle Taylor advised that people should not only be aware of what packages were ordered but also what packages their family ordered.
"Be vigilant," Taylor said. "I'm not concerned now, but that could change."
The San Marcos Police Department has been monitoring the situation involving explosives attacks in the Austin area very closely, according to news release sent Tuesday.
San Marcos Police Chief Chase Stapp said last week, members of the city’s emergency response and emergency management leadership teams met to discuss how they have been responding to incidents involving suspicious packages in San Marcos.
"We are confident that the response protocols we set in place during that meeting are appropriate and will help to keep our employees and residents safe in the event of an actual attack," Stapp said in the release.
Since the incidents in Austin began, Buda Police Department spokesperson Brittany Tate said the department has responded to at least nine calls. Taylor said the Kyle Fire Department responds to suspicious packages calls at least 10 times a day. Bagley Smith said Hays EMS responds to about 2 to 3 calls an hour. SMPD has also responded to several calls in the past few days.
"Our officers and all law enforcement across the area are taking this very seriously and will continue to respond diligently to every report of suspicious packages," Tate said. "We are staying up to date with the current situation and will collaborate with other agencies in our area as needed."
Emergency officials recommend the following:
- Do not approach or disturb suspicious packages, but if you find yourself close enough to one to observe it, please make note of its appearance
- Do not use cell phones, pagers, radios or any other devices that rely on wireless communication when near a suspicious package
- Call 9-1-1 if packages or baggages are left at the front door when you are not expecting it or left in a public space
- Do not open, smell or taste anything if you have touched the packaged with your hands and wash your hands immediately with soap and water
Austin Managing Editor Joe Warner and Reporter Christopher Neely contributed to this report.
