A small metal box with a keypad and wiring discovered near the mail slot at Victoria city hall likely wasn’t left with ill intent, according to the Victoria Police Department.
VicPD officers used a mobile X-ray machine, jointly purchased with Saanich Police Department, to confirm the package did not contain explosive material before disposing of it this afternoon, said Bowen Osoko, VicPD spokesperson.
“There is no evidence at this time that this package was left with ill intent, and the investigation is now considered to be closed,” Osoko said in a statement.
The package was first noticed by city hall security around 9 a.m., said VicPD Acting Sgt. Bill Gubbins.
“We determined that the package was suspicious in nature, we couldn’t account for its presence there,” Gubbins said.
Police also called in a K9 unit to determine the device was safe to move before it was transported to VicPD headquarters for further forensic analysis, Gubbins said.
Staff were allowed back in the building around 11:45 a.m.
dpalmer@vicnews.com
