By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The Lawrence Township Municipal Court and Police Department building was evacuated for about an hour around lunchtime Tuesday after an unknown white substance, which was later determined to be a starch-like product, spilled in the Patrol Division, according to police Lt. Charles B. Edgar.
A man brought the container into the Police Department in connection with a harassment incident, Lt. Edgar said. A small amount of powder “came loose” in the Patrol Division while police were talking to the man, who was the victim of the harassment incident, he said.
Uncertain of the type of substance that had spilled, it was decided to evacuate all “non-essential personnel” from the building at 11:45 a.m., Lt. Edgar said. The Lawrence Township Municipal Court was temporarily relocated to the lower level at the Municipal Building.
The Trenton Fire Department’s hazardous materials team was called in and determined that the substance was harmless, Lt. Edgar said. The Municipal Court and Police Department employees were allowed back in the building around 12:30 p.m.

