NEW ORLEANS – Police shut down several streets around the Federal Courthouse complex this morning after a pair of suspicious packages were reported outside the building.
A Department of Homeland Security K-9 raised the alarm around 9:30 a.m. during a routine check, according to the NOPD, causing an immediate shut down of the area around the U.S. Courthouse.
The K-9 later identified a second suspicious package in Lafayette Square.
NOPD officers blocked off several streets around the courthouse, impacting traffic on Poydras, Magazine, and Camp Streets.
Workers in surrounding buildings were asked to shelter in place.
The NOPD’s Special Operations Division brought in bomb disposal equipment, including a robot, which the team used to determine that the packages were not a threat.
All streets were reopened by 12:15 p.m.