Cynthia Herrera
Multimedia Editor
The San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) bomb squad conducted training this morning at the training academy on the city’s South Side.
In response to a public information request, Sergeant Jesse Salame, said in an email that the bomb squad routinely conducts ordinance detonation training at that location.
The department could not provide specific details about today’s training and the reason for it, but mentioned they routinely conduct training.
SAPD said they didn’t notify residents in the surrounding area for today’s training but said they will in the future.
Niki Lake, education manager at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, confirmed that SAPD notified the outdoor education center through email on Monday for a detonation training from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The Audubon Center is a bird conservatory that educates students about outdoor science and conservation. The center is located at 10750 Pleasanton Road, three miles northeast of the training academy.
Anna Sepeda, 28, a resident of the Rosemont at University Park Apartments located next to the training academy, said she was home but didn’t hear anything.
“When we’re inside, you can’t hear much, only when you come outside,” Sepeda said. “It’s loud everyday, all day when they practice. It’s nothing but sirens and chases.”
Christina Olivarez, 21, an employee at Mini Ranch Feed Store located across the neighboring apartments, said they didn’t know what was going on when they heard the explosive noises.
“It’s sounded like someone was on the roof,” Olivarez said. “We all went outside to check.”
The police academy is located at 12200 SE Loop 410 Access Rd. More information can be found here.
