No Danger After Bomb Squad Checks Suitcase Left Near Beverly and Vermont

UPDATE: Traffic started moving again just before 5 p.m. after the bomb squad concluded its investigation of an abandoned suitcase. According to Rampart Lt. Wesley Buhrmeser, the suitcase was found "not to be a hazard."

EARLIER: Streets are jammed near the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Vermont Avenue as members of LAPD's bomb squad examine an abandoned briefcase.

Rampart Division Lt. Wesley Buhrmester says the briefcase was left in the street next to the sidewalk around the 300 block of North Juanita Street.

It was discovered just before three o'clock Thursday afternoon.

According to the bomb squad's website:

The [squad] responded to 1,008 calls for service in 2005 and 1,114 calls for service in 2004. Approximately 22% of the calls handled were live devices that had to be rendered safe, live devices that already functioned, live military ordnance, or other illegal explosive devices.

That's about one in five.

Click here to read more about the LAPD Bomb Squad.