A suspicious package found outside a New York City police precinct that sparked a massive evacuation of Times Square Monday morning was deemed non-hazardous, officials said.
Tourists sightseeing and locals commuting to work were left unable to bypass the busy Midtown Manhattan artery around 10:30 a.m. due to the findings.
The NYPD said it received a 911 call reporting the suspicious package outside an NYPD precinct at West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue.
The area was promptly evacuated, and the bustling 42nd Street subway station came to a standstill as authorities investigated. It was not immediately clear what the investigation revealed about the mysterious parcel left outside the precinct.
A city worker, seemingly unfazed by the chaotic scene, told The Independent: “Same old, same old.”
The Emergency Service Unit and bomb squad responded, and by 11:53 a.m., the package was deemed non-hazardous, Fox 5 New York reported.
The streets near West 43rd and 7th Avenue that were shut down while authorities investigated have since reopened to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
A tourist from Madrid said the incident should prompt New York City officials to make safety improvements.
“I think it’s important for the city that security measures improve day by day,” they said.
The police investigation into the package has since concluded, according to Fox.
