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All-clear given in Times Square scare
Police have blocked off parts of Times Square and evacuated people because of a suspicious cooler left in Times Square.
[Updated at 6:06 p.m.] Read the full CNN.com story
[Updated at 2:32 p.m.] Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York acknowledged after that incident that terrorists have targeted New York.
"We have to take every precaution, as you know, because we remain a prime target for terrorists," he said. "That's something all New Yorkers understand and it's something that we need Washington to understand as well."
"We will continue to doing everything we possibly can to protect New Yorkers from terrorist attacks. We have, as you know, built the most comprehensive and sophisticated counter terrorism operation of any local police force in the world."
[Updated at 2:24 p.m.] An all-clear was declared Friday after authorities investigated a suspicious package left in front of a hotel in Times Square and determined that it contained water bottles, police said.
[Updated at 2:10 p.m.] The New York Police Department has deployed a robot to X-ray the cooler that was abandoned in front of the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, police told CNN's Susan Candiotti.
[Updated at 2:15 p.m.] A bomb squad robot has completed its X-ray of the suspicious cooler left in Times Square, CNN's Susan Candiotti reported. But, the results were inconclusive.
Members of the bomb squad are now suiting up to get a closer look.
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[Updated at 2:01 p.m.] CNN's Ali Velshi who is on 47th Street and Broadway reports: "Times Square is entirely empty" on certain blocks.
[Updated at 1:58 p.m.] Kathy Duffy, who is in her office at the Marriott Marquis hotel, told CNN the Times Square Alliance said there was an abandoned cooler left outside. Duffy said officials told her that the bomb squad was trying to determine if it was a threat. She said that the hotel has not been told to evacuate.
[Updated at 1:51 p.m.] A spokesman for the Times Square Alliance says, according to the NYPD, the following streets are closed:
- East bound on 46th Street from 8th Ave
- West bound on 45th Street from 6th Ave.
- And the Broadway and 7th Avenue plaza between 44th and 47th.
- 44th and 47th Streets themselves are not closed.
[Updated at 1:45 p.m.] The suspicious package that prompted evacuations in New York's Times Square is a white cooler that was left near the front of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, police told CNN.
The area is not far from where Faisal Shahzad left his SUV that had explosives in it.
People were evacuated from the streets of Times Square after a report of a suspicious package.
[Posted at 1:24 p.m.] Times Square has been evacuated after a suspicious package was found near 45th street, a New York Police Department official said.
The package was found near 45th Street and Broadway, officials said.
The evacuation comes six days after an SUV with explosives was left in Times Square resulting in the arrest of Faisal Shahzad.
This story is developing. We'll bring you the latest information as we get it.
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The terrorists have already won.
We're already scared of our own shadows, and every piece of trash on a city street must be investigated.
These people need to get a life... oh... wait.
If the police find a package on the ground in Times Square, It's okay for them to assume that it's a bomb. But evacuating all of Times Square? Sounds like paranoia to me.
We're not paranoid New Yorkers, and we're not in an agitated state either. NYC is THE TARGET. WE WERE ATTACKED MORE THAN ONCE! Jeez what is with you people and your warped sense of humor comments. The car bomb last week was REAL. We were lucky that Faisal the terrorist was an idiot and didn't know what he was doing, and that our vigilent citizens saw something and said something. I don't think you would be joking today if that bomb went off like it was planned. I don't think you would be joking if you ran for your life on 9/11 and lost family and friends. You don't even know how many threats we've lived through since 9/11 because it's never on the news. Evacuations have become the norm, it's nothing new to us.
It could be filled with cheap beer! Clear the area.
If people honestly think its actions out of paranoia, then there is something wrong with them for an suv filled with explosives 6 days ago does say New York is at high risk and EVERYONE needs to be on high alert for the safety of others and the city, especially in major tourist destinations.
I've seen the word paranoia several times, But I know if this were happening in my city I would be greatfull someone called. Hoax or not we need to keep in mind the results that a
act of violence like this would cause not only to the city but our nation. God Bless America and the people of New York .
Cuz we from New York and this stuff is real, blah blah blah, I am tired of this "New York Crap"
what type of hoe would due this
Those of you calling New Yorker's paranoid obviously don't live here and don't understand maybe you don't even care at the possiblilty that people could die if we dont take things seriously...if NYPD, FDNY or whatever other agency doesn't react something happens..then everyone is up in arms screaming "why didn't they do this?" "why didn't they do that?".
I'm down on 14th street and feeling a little nervous. It's probably nothing, but we have to be careful in NYC. I'm wondering if I'll have to walk home tonight.
Times Square is one of the busiest place in the world. They are trying to take the crowd out of it with fear. It's all techniques. New Yorkers don't fall for it.
I smell a diversion...
Seems like a bit much to evacuate for something the size of a cooler. But I suppose they need to be cautious. I think people who leave coolers unattended should have their citizenship revoked. Then we wouldn't have to worry about it. Besides, any self-respecting terrorist would stay there and blow themselves up too since it looks better on your resume and you can't trust bomb technoilogy these days.
Paranoia??? Are you kidding me, do you live in Manhattan? I doubt it..not much happens in Podunk states now does it?