PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have given the all-clear after a suspicious package prompted an evacuation at Philadelphia City Hall on Thursday.
Police Capt. Frank Vanore said sheriffs spotted an unattended backpack in the City Council caucus room just before 11:30 a.m. and brought in bomb-sniffing dogs as a precaution.
“Two separate sheriff’s K-9 dogs indicated on the bag, so that gave him cause to empty the chambers and continue to empty the building,” he said.
An X-ray and then visual inspection showed nothing dangerous inside, Vanore said. For extra safety, the dogs swept the building to make sure the backpack hadn’t been used to transport an explosive and then leave it somewhere else.
The backpack owner was identified and is cooperating with police.
Managing Director Carlton Williams was pleased with the quick response.
“The systems that we have in place worked and got people out as quickly as they could to safety,” he said.
The evacuation happened during City Council’s first day back from summer recess.
