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White powder incidents cost Saskatoon Fire Department $140K

Mar 29, 2017 | 2:52 PM

Responses to white powder scares in Saskatoon since November have cost the city’s fire department more than $140,000.

The department released its latest tally of costs Wednesday for five incidents that occurred between March 16 and March 28.

Combined, the five calls cost $75,650 and tied up crews for a total of 14.5 hours.

The department said at least seven vehicles, including engines and hazmat trailers, were involved in each response – along with between 23 to 26 staff members.

The bill adds to the $66,000 tallied from a spree of five white powder deliveries on Nov. 29, 2016.

Amanda Totchek, 31, faces charges of mischief and uttering threats for the November incidents.

She pleaded not guilty and was released from custody on Jan. 26 on the condition she live in Alberta.

Police said they haven’t established a connection between the sprees.

Two of the locations targeted on March 27 and 28 also received packages in November.

 

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