Sept. 06--NORWALK -- A West Nile mosquito trap containing a battery and wires spotted in a swamp near Rowayton Elementary School attracted police and firefighters after a resident called it in as a suspicious object, officials said.
Norwalk Police Lt. Praveen John said police and firefighters were dispatched to Raymond Pond near the corner of Roton Avenue and McKinley Street after a woman walking her children spotted a man placing what she described as a box with wires coming out of it in the swamp.
The 11:56 p.m. call attracted five police officers and a fire engine company, Rowayton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ed Carlson said.
Carlson said the box was in the shape of a five-gallon plastic bucket covered in mesh with a funnel opening on its top.
The trap contains a battery and wires running to a small fan. Neighbors in the area said they see people leave them and pick them up from time to time, Carlson said.
The Norwalk Health Department told police and firefighters that the traps, which are also located in other areas of the city, are maintained by the state Department of Agriculture as they track mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus, Carlson said.
John said that the traps are changed every 10 days. Carlson said that the Department of Health did not tell police or fire officials about the traps, even though this one was only a short distance away from the Rowayton Elementary School.
"It was a good intent call," Carlson said. "It's like the thing they say in New York City. If you see something, say something. We don't mind responding to things like that. It's better to check them out and be sure."
Copyright 2012 - Connecticut Post, Bridgeport
