'Suspicious Package at 53rd Street and 7th Avenue' (Update: Gov Paterson Was There!)
As you can see in this photo (thanks, reader), 7th Avenue in Midtown has been shut down by police, due to a "suspicious package." Internal email warnings, continuous updates, and photos of the purported terror bag, below. Plus: David Paterson!
This email went out to workers in a nearby office building:
"We have been notified by our building's Security Director that there
is a police mobilization at 54th Street and 7th Avenue as a result of
a suspicious package at 53rd Street and 7th Avenue. This will bring
a large number of police officers to our area. They may also close
some streets.I will notify you as soon as more information is available."
Know more? Email us. Or just run away.
UPDATE: Oh here is a live video stream of the intersection.
UPDATE 2: One tipster writes, "We were just told that its a suspicious package at the Sheraton Center."
UPDATE 3: A tipster tells us the following is a pic of the unidentified bag causing the scare. And below that, another pic of the deserted intersection.
UPDATE 4: Another word from someone on the scene! "I was just informed that a guy in a 'bomb suit', whatever that is, is detonating the package right now. Apparently it is outside the Lindy's restaurant, so I am told."
BOMBSHELL UPDATE 5: NY governor David Paterson was scheduled to speak today at the very time and location of this terror outbreak! Which would explain the massive police presence. From Paterson's daily schedule:
12:30 PM Delivers Remarks at the 13th Annual Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Wall Street Project Economic Summit
The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers
811 Seventh Avenue at 53rd Street
New York City
OPEN PRESS
UPDATE 6: A bomb squad dude can clearly be seen on the live stream messing with the package now, maybe to detonate!?
UPDATE 7: And, apparently it was nothing after all, AS USUAL. From one tipster on the scene:
Actual words of my building's fire safety "The package has been found to be unfounded."
It's gone and 7th Avenue, as well as all building entrances are clear.