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Bomb Scare Shuts Down Ventura Blvd.

A suspicious package and a bomb threat trigger evacuation.

Because of multiple bomb threats in conjunction with the discovery of a suspicious package found at 3:15 today at the Chase Bank branch at 13949 Ventura Blvd. at Colbath, police  evacuated the bank and nearby businesses, including the McDonald’s next door, as well as the entire 13900 block of Ventura Blvd.

Employees of McDonald’s as well as Chase both sat and stood in the shade of city trees for more than two hours, as police surveyed the area and a bomb squad examined the package.

According to Los Angeles police Officer Karen Rayner, the package at the heart of this scare was a backpack. When the bomb squad finally was able to examine it more than two hours after it had been discovered, it contained only "personal items,'' she said.   

Just before 6 pm tonight, police re-opened the street.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
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A. Abrams May 19, 2013 at 06:05 pm
As a parent who spent over 12 hours on site volunteering at CHAMPSFEST, I must say that CHAMPSRead More Parent's assessment above of the circumstances is exactly correct.
CHAMPS Parent May 19, 2013 at 05:43 pm
Dear Hollietiger, CHAMPSFEST2013 was an awesome experience for my child. She was there all day andRead More had the best time. When I dropped her off I saw a slew of security personnel checking bags and wanding. She told me security was there immediately and a medic on hand. Her friend is fine and is going to school Monday morning. The hammer was from a vendor. The kid could have grabbed one of the stakes from a tent or a chair. Things happen, but I trust that the school and the administrators did the right thing. It's very counter productive and irresponsible to write things when you don't know the facts. I will support and trust CHAMPS and my daughter is already looking forward to next years CHAMPSFEST.
Evan Sanford May 19, 2013 at 05:02 pm
First of all, I don't know where your child got his information but he is quite uninformed. HeRead More obviously was believing all the rumors spreading at then end of the event. The victim's skull WAS NOT "cracked open and ... bleeding everywhere." CHAMPSFEST 2013 was a public event, therefore open to the PUBLIC. CHAMPS (the school) has no control of mental competency of attendants from other schools. Security was there in droves to protect the entire venue. As far as nothing being reported that is also FALSE. The kid was NOT taken away in handcuffs. Police were there and it is confidential information that was not released to the general population and is not a matter of public record. Second of all, the resources provided by the city were there as a backup (you mentioned "2 ambulances, police fire trucks... Not really sure what police fire trucks are but that's besides the point). We wanted to make sure that in this case of emergency all bases were covered and the safety of the victim was going to be treated properly. Next time you hear about an incident, I would consider the reputation of the people who worked so hard to put on the event and let them handle the situation before posting incorrect information to the entire community.