Suspicious Package at Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station Caused Shutdown of Area

SANTA MONICA, CA — A suspicious package, which was deemed not a threat, found at the Metro Expo Line Downtown Santa Monica Station caused a traffic disruption Tuesday morning.

The report of the suspicious package came in at around 8:50 a.m., Santa Monica Fire Department Capt. Dale Hallock said. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department requested the area around the station be cordoned off while the bomb squad investigated, he said.

At around 9:50 a.m., the sheriff's Bomb Squad deemed the package safe and the operation was winding down, Hallock said.

The Fourth Street onramp from the westbound I-10 freeway was shut down because of the threat, as was the area around Fourth Street and Colorado Boulevard. Metro Expo Line service was also interrupted between the Downtown Santa Monica Station and the 17th Street/Santa Monica Station, according to Metro.

Buses were used to ferry passengers around the area while law enforcement personnel work to remove the item. Services have since resumed.

-- Photo courtesy of Metro