Placentia RCMP Warning After Historic Cannonballs Found in Jerseyside

Community Safety Alert for Jerseyside and Placentia Area

Placentia RCMP has issued a public safety advisory after several cannonballs were uncovered at a private home in Jerseyside, Newfoundland and Labrador, near a known archaeological site. The discovery, reported on March 30, 2026, led to the deployment of the specialized RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) to assess and remove the items.

Police are emphasizing that any suspected munitions or old military ordnance – even if they appear to be solid metal – can still be dangerous and must be treated as live explosives. Residents in Placentia and surrounding communities are urged to avoid touching such objects and to contact police immediately so trained explosive technicians can respond safely.

Official Incident Details

According to the official report, the incident began when the Provincial Archaeologist contacted Placentia RCMP after cannonballs were uncovered during renovation work at a Jerseyside residence located beside a documented archaeological area. Given the province’s long military history, such discoveries are not unusual, but they do pose serious safety risks if handled or moved by the public.

Key details released by the RCMP include:

• On March 30, 2026, the Provincial Archaeologist notified Placentia RCMP that several cannonballs had been found during property renovations at a home in Jerseyside, adjacent to a recognized archaeological site.
• The items recovered were described as cannonballs, which are often solid steel spheres but may also be hollow and packed with explosive black powder.
• Because of the potential for internal explosive material, the cannonballs were treated as possible munitions, in line with RCMP safety protocols.
• The RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) was called to the scene, attended the property, and took responsibility for safely removing and disposing of the cannonballs.
• The RCMP notes that Newfoundland and Labrador’s military history has led to the recovery of various types of munitions across the province, and that these objects can be extremely hazardous if disturbed.

What To Do If You Find Possible Munitions or Weapons

RCMP guidance for anyone who discovers a suspected munition, cannonball, or old military item is clear and should be followed strictly:

• Do not touch, move, clean, or tamper with the item in any way.
• Immediately contact your local police (such as Placentia RCMP or your nearest RCMP detachment or municipal police service).
• Provide police with the exact location of the item and a brief description (size, shape, markings, and where it was found).
• Keep yourself and others at a safe distance until authorities arrive and secure the scene.
• Follow any instructions provided by police or explosive technicians, including evacuation or road restrictions if ordered.

These steps help ensure the safe involvement of the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit and other specialists who are trained to examine, secure, and dispose of potentially explosive artifacts.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this advisory highlights how historical artifacts and modern public safety can intersect in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Areas like Placentia have deep military and colonial roots, which increases the chance that residents, contractors, or homeowners may unexpectedly uncover old ordnance during landscaping, renovations, or shoreline activity. Our mission is to support safer communities by ensuring that residents understand the risks posed by unexploded or unknown munitions and know how to respond. Alongside this alert, residents can review broader Placentia crime and safety data and stay informed through our ongoing Safety Alerts coverage. Promptly reporting suspicious or potentially explosive items, and allowing authorities to handle them, is a key part of preventing injuries and protecting neighbourhoods.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the newfoundland-and-labrador community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.