MANCHESTER, N.H. — Cleaning up the mess left behind at a crime scene can be a dangerous job, New Hampshire officials say.
That's why the city of Manchester wants $10,000 to contract a biohazard company to clean up crime scenes on public property.
Officials say it will cut down on city employees' exposure to blood borne diseases when cleaning up blood and bodily fluids left behind at crime scenes.
"I think when you have people who are trained and certified in blood borne pathogens and how to do this correctly, it minimizes exposure to city staff." Manchester Health Director Tim Soucy told FOX25.
On Aug. 30, 61-year-old Richard Carlson was found dead in Prout Park and blood covered a section of the bleachers at the Mickey Hanagan Field. About two weeks before that, 44-year-old Mark Hathaway was stabbed in the Victory Parking garage on Vine Street, leaving a large amount of blood on a level in the garage.
"In this case, in the parking garage, they weren't able to get the fire vehicle to the top level, so we had to look at it a different way," Soucy said.
A city worker had to go up and use a water hose and bleach.
Crime scene cleanup can be contracted to biohazard remediation companies, which are licensed to deal with dangerous natural substances that find their way into everyday places.
Overall, crime in Manchester is down 19 percent over last year, but violent crime is up and residents are behind the idea.
"I think it's a bad idea to have the fire department or the police department clean up any after facts," Maureen Ellis said. "They got enough paperwork and the next crime."
In a private home or a business, an insurance company would normally cover the cost of clean up, but public property is left with the task.
The requests for the $10,000 will go to the full board of alderman for approval.
Cox Media Group
