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SPD shuts down E Madison due to report of suspicious item — UPDATE: All clear

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Seattle Police say they have closed E Madison and side streets west of 12th Ave as they respond to a reported suspicious item found in the area. We have no details on what has been reported at this time but the major artery could be closed between 12th and Seneca for some time. UPDATE: The item has been inspected by a member of the SPD Arson and Bomb Squad and cleared from a Metro bus shelter at 11th and Madison. No word on who reported it — from a distance, the item appeared to be a rolling suitcase.

Police have responded to at least six similar reports around Seattle in the days following the attack on the Boston Marathon. Each has turned out to be harmless.

Police have closed off an area about two blocks long north of the Seattle University campus. The area contains a construction site, a copy shop, the northern edge of the campus and the city streets.

Metro buses are rerouted around the closure.

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Sherry
Sherry
10 years ago

Really?? Are we all going to plunge into this hysteria?

Molly
Molly
10 years ago

Exactly! What would you have preferred they had done? Shrugged their shoulders and been like, nah it couldn’t be? Horrible stuff obviously happens so it really doesn’t hurt to check shit like this out.

Ben
Ben
10 years ago

I’m with you, Sherry. We shouldn’t flip out every time we see a bag lying around. You know, the whole, “letting them win” thing. ;)

A. Soto
A. Soto
10 years ago

Yes,it really is,the way things have been happening to be safe rather than sorry… its called CARING.. ;)

Janet
Janet
10 years ago

Well, the reality is this is where we find ourselves in 2013. Once something’s reported as suspicious there’s no choice but to respond and check it out. I can’t fault someone for reporting something they think is suspicious and we’re all going to have different opinions about what those things are. I’ve run across a lot of abandoned backpacks and suitcases over the years. Right or wrong, I would’ve checked the suitcase/backpack myself, but I can’t tell someone else how to handle it. It must cost a small fortune to send out response teams, but it’s also good practice for the people charged with handling such things. I think it’s important to take into account where a suspicious item is found. In front of a police station or the Federal Building? I’m calling 911 for sure.

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[…] Police have been on high alert since the Boston bombing, and have responded to several suspicious bag incidents in Seattle including one in Pioneer Square, and Capitol Hill. […]