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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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iReport.com: See photos from Times Square
[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.
I totally agree with you Jonathan!! I rather them take these necessary precautions than not do anything. I certainly don't mind the inconvenience!!
Get back to work you all, this is a big bull
looks like little timmy won't be eating lunch today
Big surprise.... yesterday was business as usual in the area ... bearded guys selling newspapers dressed in dirty night shirts and leaving bags unattended all over that area as usual. if we need to evacuate every time someone drops a bag in midtown, then its time to either punish people or stop doing business there. Just stick the guys that caused this with the bills for the FDNY & NYPD.... or deport them.... or both....
Yes, Johanna....we all do agree.
another "dry run" to observe NYPD reaction time ?
LOL They haven't updated it yet, but some Homeless guy was found to be next to the cooler eating out of it!
Are the terrorists so impatient that they can't wait two more years? The world is going to end in 2012 anyway......
Ditto Laura! Nicely said. They need STFU
Is it going to be front page news every time something is left in Times Square?
TO 715, go down there and stick your head in the cooler and report back what you find.
To all the people crying "Paranoid", obviously you must not live in an area directly affected by 9/11. I live in the Washington, D.C. area, and I will tell you that it is better to be safe than sorry. You people will be the ones commenting about the non-response when another building comes down. I have been through the terror of 9/11 and the D.C. Sniper. I think it is a shame that you all think this is some type of joke or government conspiracy. Shame on you. Check in with me when something happens in your area. I myself truly appreciate law enforcement taking each and every one of these situations seriously to keep us safe. To "Enlightened"....I'm ashamed that there are AMERICANS with your retarded brain. You need to find a new place to live and take your disrespect with you.
oh yeah paranoia!
Funny how the guy or gal who signed off as ANONYMOUS is urging everyone else to grow a pair of balls, huh?
its all real and scary and this is what the terorrists want us to live like them , scared to walk the street just like their world , they are starting it in New York. What a bummer because all we really want is PEACE!