SANTA MONICA—A suspicious package left in a trash can on Monday, September 16, on the 1400 block of 3rd Street Promenade forced shoppers to evacuate and a bomb squad to be called to the scene to investigate. 

At 6:03 p.m., Santa Monica Police Department tweeted:

“The SMPD is investigating a suspicious package left in a trash can on the 1400 block of the 3rd Street Promenade. We are asking everyone to stay out of the 1400 block of the Promenade while we wait for investigators to arrive on scene. Updates will be given in 45 minutes.”

Along with the location of where the package was left, the 200-300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard was closed to traffic. Officials from the Santa Monica Police Department went door to door to evacuate residents.

At 8:23 p.m., the bomb squad arrived to investigate the suspicious package. Five minutes later officials determined there was no threat to the public. The SMPD announced the area would be reopen to the public before 10 p.m. 

3rd Street Promenade is a frequented pedestrian spot with various shops and restaurants near the Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier.