A package left on a sidewalk outside the B.C. Legislature that forced evacuations and street closures is not dangerous, Victoria Police have confirmed.
The package was seized and roads surrounding the building were expected to reopen shortly, police tweeted around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Our team has confirmed the package is not dangerous. We are seizing it and will be opening up the roads shortly. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 16, 2016
An area on Menzies Street outside of the building’s west annex was taped off just after 4 p.m. Police later extended the perimeter out of caution after the black bag was spotted on a sidewalk near the legislature.
It is unclear what part of the building was evacuated during the investigation.
Victoria Police spokesman Const. Matt Rutherford said crews were working "out of an abundance of caution" as they tried to determine the contents of the black bag.
"We've gone through the necessary steps and we're working with the legislature to get the people that need to be out, to get them out," he said.
Traffic was tied up in the area and motorists were advised to use an alternate route as police investigated.
The bag was spotted near a concrete divider separating the legislature’s lawn from the sidewalk.
VIDEO: @vicpdcanada seal off the area down Menzies around @BCLegislature because of suspicious package @CTVNewsVI pic.twitter.com/TiYr6GTdhF
— Zahra Premji (@CTVNewsZahra) January 16, 2016
We've taped of an area near the BC Legislature while we investigate a suspicious package. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 16, 2016
Menzies St closed near the Legislature building while we investigate. #yyjtraffic in the area is disrupted. Pls use alternate routes.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 16, 2016