Santa Monica Pier To Reopen After Bomb Scare; “We’ve Found No Danger”, Police Say – Update

Dominic Patten
·2 min read

UPDATED, 12:25 PM: Police have completed a sweep of the Santa Monica Pier following a morning bomb threat and said no danger has been found. “We’ve found no threat and are preparing to reopen the Pier shortly,” the Santa Monica Police Department tweeted at 12: 16 p.m.

PREVIOUSLY, 11:19 AM: If the rainstorm pounding Southern California wasn’t enough, the Santa Monica Pier is closed off right now due to a bomb threat.

The threat was called in about an hour ago, sources tell me.

It is unknown who called in the threat or what the cause of the alleged bomb placement is. However, a police investigation is underway right now. A popular site for filming for decades, the entire Pier has been evacuated. The bomb squad is heading over there, I hear.

“Attention: For your safety, please avoid the Pier area until further notice. Law enforcement is currently investigating a bomb threat,” the Santa Monica Police Department tweeted at 10:44 a.m. “Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in the vicinity. Please remain vigilant and adhere to any instructions provided by authorities. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding during this situation. Stay safe and stay clear of the Pier until the all-clear is given. Thank you.”

The 115-year-old pier also was closed back in October when a man carrying a backpack and claiming to have a bomb climbed to the center of its Ferris wheel. People were evacuated before the man eventually surrendered to police.

The pier also was evacuated in 2017, when a vehicle parked there was deemed “suspicious.” An SMPD investigation eventually determined the area to be safe, and the pier was reopened after nearly seven hours.

xx

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