UPDATE 1:43: All clear. Just a backpack with no explosives found. Move along now.
UPDATE 1:26: Canines (gorgeous ones, at that) are on the scene to sniff out the situation at hand. Check it out:
#SFPD canines are on the scene to assist with the suspicious device investigation at Union Square. pic.twitter.com/4CDL82IC1D
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsBayArea) October 17, 2013
UPDATE 1:20: Union Square has been evacuated. No timetable as to when it will reopen. Below, an evacuated Square:
Suspicious device shuts down Union Square, SF... Here's the view from the 12th floor of the Westin pic.twitter.com/UlhgiKnNT5
— seanbengry (@seanbengry) October 17, 2013
UPDATE: We're now hearing that Union Square is closed and a shelter-in-place is now in effect. The device was found at Geary and Stockton.
This just in: SFPD reports that a suspicious device found at Market and Powell Geary and Stockton, near to the Cable Car turnaround, has been closed. Cable car, traffic, and Muni are heavily delayed.
As the fuzz recommends, definitely avoid the area for now. Please.
We'll update as soon as we know more.
Suspicious device Market St and Powell St, O'ffarell St. Street Closure, heavy traffic, Cable Car and Muni rerouted and delayed. AVOID AREA.
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) October 17, 2013
