14 DAY TRIAL // San Francisco police have closed down Union Square, the home of several high-end retails stores.
The plaza was closed down for two hours yesterday, San Francisco Gate reported. A bomb report was called in at approximately 11:47 a.m.
A “suspicious package” was left in a backpack in the square. There is no information on whether or not someone called in the bomb alert or the rucksack was discovered by guards.
It was left near Powell and Stockton streets, and all businesses in the area were cleared. An evacuation of the perimeter has taken place. According to police spokesman, officer Albie Esparza, the backpack was there unattended.
Officials discovered the package near a tent set up for Nike Women's Marathon race. The event will be going on this weekend as scheduled.
All people working in Union Square and in the neighboring areas were directed to shelters. The perimeter was off limits to drivers and pedestrians, and cable car service was also redirected.
An investigation revealed that there was "no merit to the suspicious device," prompting a reopening of the plaza. The inquiry was conducted by a bomb squad and the threat was lifted by 1:35 p.m.
"It's better to be safe than sorry. [...] We take these incidents really seriously," Esparza says. He also notes that security measures are stricter before the marathon.
"Because of the Nike event, we wanted to make sure we were extra careful," he adds.
Officials responded as they did because the incident was a reminder of the Boston Marathon bombing in April.
"I hadn't worried about it until they mentioned this bomb threat. [...] It's going to be crazy to see what they do for the marathon. ... It's scary to think of the possibility, especially because it's supposed to be a positive experience," witness Eileen Gapasin expresses.