LYNN – A bomb scare rattled city residents this afternoon when a suspicious backpack was found underneath a tree at Red Rock Park.
A crowd of onlookers anxiously gathered at the scene as the State Police Bomb Squad and a robot checked out the backpack around 1 p.m., which was determined to be harmless as only personal items were inside. A few minutes after the backpack was removed, a man, who authorities say was intoxicated, attempted to claim it and was taken into custody.
?It was rendered safe and was not a bomb,” said Lynn Deputy Fire Chief James McDonald. “I don’t think the general public has anything to be nervous about and there is no need to be alarmed.”
Residents of Lynn and Swampscott, however, are on edge following three previous incidents involving pipe bombs.
The first happened last Monday, on Hillside Avenue in Swampscott, when a resident found a pipe bomb in the street. It was described as two propane tanks held together by duct tape with a small pipe attached to it. It was detonated by the State Police Bomb Squad.
The second, found on Essex Street, exploded and blew out the windows in a vehicle Wednesday. On Collins Avenue on Saturday night a homeowner found an intricately put together pipe bomb in his gas grill.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Fair Plan, an alliance of insurance firms for information regarding the three incidents. Call 781-599-0232 to report information.

In addition, anonymous tips can be submitted to the Lynn Police by texting the word tiplynn on a mobile device to tip411 or 847411 or on the police department?s Web site atwww.lynnpolice.organd clicking the “submit tip” icon.