An suspicious package found at Calgary City Hall contains no explosive materials, police have determined.
CBC Calgary reports the black bag contained random items, including clothes and toiletries.
The package was discovered outside Old City Hall around 7:40 a.m. Friday. Employees in the old building were evacuated while those working in the municipal building were kept inside. The area nearest the atrium windows was taped off, reports Global Calgary.
Marilyn Phillips, who works on the third floor of Old City Hall, told the Calgary Herald at about 7:50 a.m. one of her colleagues came into work with news that a woman saw a man run up the stairs of the building, throw a black duffel bag and then run away.
Traffic was blocked off northbound Macleod Trail at 9 Ave. S.E. and detours set up.
Calgary Transit also closed the City Hall platform to LRT traffic, with riders travelling east or south asked to use the Centre Street platform and north or westbound communters to use the 1 St. West platform.
Police also evacuated the nearby Calgary Public Library.
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The discovery of the package comes just two days after a suspicious package caused major disruptions at a Calgary courthouse
Calgary police say Wednesday's package had all the elements of an improvised explosive device — except the part that would cause an explosion.
Ald. John Mar told CBC he was happy with the way police handled Friday's incident.
“Given what’s happened in Boston, given what’s happened at the courthouse the other day, we have to take these types of things seriously, and it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Mar said.
More to come...