Police Deem Two ‘Suspicious Packages' in Times Square Safe: Officials

An unattended suitcase and cooler in Times Square promoted a heavy police presence and an investigation, officials say. 

Police deemed the two items safe at around 12:30 Monday morning, authorities said. 

Police were on the scene for about an hour investigating “possible suspicious packages” in Times Square Sunday night into early Monday morning, officials said.

Update: The two suspicious packages in Times Square have been cleared & deemed safe. 42nd Street will be re-opening shortly.

— J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) May 1, 2017

Authorities closed 42 Street to 46 Street and Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue, police said.

Due to police activity, street closures btwn W 42 St & W 46 St and 6 Ave & 8 Ave (MN). Use alternate routes.

— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) May 1, 2017

The call came shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday for the two packages found at 44th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue. It didn't take long for the packages to be declared safe by officials. 

Police said the streets have reopened. 

Earlier in the day Sunday, the FDNY were called to Astoria shortly before 6 p.m. for a suspicious package. 

Shortly afer 8 p.m. Sunday, police deemed the package not suspicious nor explosive.