Tennis ball bombs: identification and law enforcement response

Tennis Ball Bombs

One of the concerns of contemporary law enforcement agencies in relation to counterterrorism in the realm of domestic or "home-grown" terrorism are explosive devices improvised from easily-obtainable materials. Tennis balls, racquetballs, and other similar common sports items, for example, have been used increasingly by domestic terrorists. Typically, the balls are cut open, filled with explosive materials such as match heads or explosive powders (i.e. black powder or gun powder) and then resealed. In one such configuration, the ball is equipped with a standard firecracker or an improvised type of fuse. These types of devices have been known to law enforcement for more than a decade and the increasing use of the Internet in the public has increased public awareness of these types of devices. In that regard, "How To" videos and written instructions are readily available on the Internet (1)(2).

Prior Incidents

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a police patrol vehicle ran over and detonated a tennis ball bomb in Milwaukee (4). In Portland, Oregon, a dog was killed when it played with a tennis ball its owner had found on the street (7). Two-15-year-old boys were arrested in South Africa after throwing a tennis ball bomb at a school (3). In Fairfield, Connecticut, a tennis ball bomb exploded after it was thrown by a man who found it in the street who started playing catch with it (5). Two Washington State men were sentenced to state prison for possession of a large number of tennis ball bombs, one of which had seriously injured one of the younger brothers of one of the men (6).

Recognizing and Avoiding Detonating Possible Tennis Ball Bombs

Tennis balls and racquetballs with holes or slashes are obvious warning signs of explosive devices improvised from those items. Similarly, tennis balls and racquetballs covered in electrical tape or duct tape are also highly suspicious, as are any such items that reflect evidence of having been dissembled and then glued back together or otherwise repaired after separation. In light of their potential danger, destructive power, and mechanism of detonation, vehicle operators should never drive over balls. Any discovery of a potential tennis ball bomb should trigger appropriate notification of police authorities by members of the general public and standard operating procedures for securing crime scenes first and then notification of emergency services and/or bomb squads and federal ATF hotlines by members of police services.

Sources:

(1) http://www.instructables.com/id/EHX8XOXR7ZEP4HD614/

(2) http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Match-Head-Tennis-Ball-Bomb

(3) http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/2003/11/14/news/n12_14112003.htm

(4) http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-6507864.html

(5) http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-6507864.html

(6) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/archives/1996/9609110027.asp