Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Buena Vista Library 300 North Buena Vista Street Burbank
A suspicious device drama at the Buena Vista Library caused some tense moments this morning in Burbank. At around 7:50 a.m. Burbank Police reportedly responded to a call of “suspicious items found by library employees.” The library at 300 North Buena Vista Street was closed at the time.
“When Police Officers arrived, they found an unattended 12-volt battery inside the library which was connected to a charging system, similar to a trickle charging device. The charging system was plugged into an outlet and a black powder-like substance was scattered on the floor nearby. Due to the unusual circumstances, the library and the area immediately surrounding it was cordoned off. Adjacent roadways were also closed to traffic as a precaution, ” according to a BPD news release.
The library had been due to open at 10 a.m., but remained closed for the morning. The Burbank Fire Department Hazmat unit, along with Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives investigators, arrived at the scene to check out the device. It was “rendered safe” at around 10:50 a.m. Library staff sent out tweets to the public about the situation.
Buena Vista Library will reopen at 1pm following this morning’s closure for a suspicious package. All nearby streets are open for traffic.
— City of Burbank (@BurbankCA) March 10, 2017
At this point, authorities do not know who or when the device was left at the library. Burbank Police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call BPD Detective Bureau at (818) 238-3210. You can remain anonymous by calling “LA Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or download and use the “P3 MOBILE APP” on your smart phone or go to the website http://www.lacrimestoppers.org .
