Post by Yeast on Feb 13, 2009 14:37:32 GMT -5
Mysterious powder on Palm Beach sand, pavement identified
By MARGIE KACOHA
Palm Beach Daily News Staff Writer
Friday, February 13, 2009
PALM BEACH — It's not exactly crop circles, but Palm Beachers woke up today to some mysterious codes on the sand and pavement in the area of Sunset Avenue beach.
According to Palm Beach Fire-Rescue, a resident called about 8 a.m. to report markings in the shape of arrows and the letters "Q" and "F" drawn in yellow chalk and an unknown powdery substance.
Battalion Chief Jason Weeks said crews blocked off the area and called in the West Palm Beach Fire-Rescue hazardous materials team.
The white powder turned out to be harmless corn starch.
Confident it posed no danger to the public, crews buried it "so no one would call again," Weeks said.
Police spokeswoman Janet Kinsella said police are classifying it as a "suspicious incident" and are not doing any further investigation.
"We'll keep an eye on the area for the next few nights," she said.
Police speculate the markings could have been left there by cyclists or other athletes, or that it could have been a simple prank.
