Around 11:30am today, police blocked off Noe Street between 18th and 16th, as well as 17th between Hartford and Sanchez, after a suspicious package was found.

Authorities are recommending that people in the affected area stay inside while the incident can be fully investigated.

As of 11:55am, the bomb squad had arrived on scene, and an explosive-detection device and dog had been deployed.

@HoodlineSF SFPD Bomb Squad just arrived in Castro on 17th St btwn Noe & Hartford. pic.twitter.com/bsErBywvbv

— Steven Bracco (@Braccs) September 23, 2015

Suspicious Device in the Area of 17th/ Noe St. Avoid the Area. Street Closures, Traffic Delay Possible.

— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) September 23, 2015

@HoodlineSF SFPD putting on the Bomb suit as they continue to investigate in the Castro. pic.twitter.com/CYJ5dOFjla

— Steven Bracco (@Braccs) September 23, 2015

@HoodlineSF picture at 17th Castro from the 24 bus. pic.twitter.com/LB7GXsHkqW

— Michael Mathews (@makfan) September 23, 2015

ATTN: Due to police activity near 17th & Noe, the 24, 35, & 37 may see delays in the area.

— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) September 23, 2015

UPDATE, 1:20pm: The SFPD has released further information about what's going on, saying that a San Francisco Sheriffs Deputy was walking in the area at about 11:15am when she noticed a suspicious object. "The object was on top of a newspaper rack located on the southwest corner of 17th/Noe," according to a media advisory issued by the SFPD's Sgt. Michael Andraychak.

The Deputy alerted SFPD, and officers from Mission Police Station responded, as well as the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) unit. "The EOD unit is evaluating the object as well as an unattended bag on the 300 block of Noe," according to the advisory. 

UPDATE, 2:20pm: The SFPD has declared the scene "clear" and reopened the area:

@SFPD Scene Clear, Streets Reopened.

— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) September 23, 2015

UPDATE, 9/24/15 - 8:45am: The SFPD released a report on the incident, finding that the device was not dangerous:

SF Sheriff Dept located possible explosive device in Clinic and requested SFPD assistance. EOD unit notified and responded. No merit to explosive.