Yesterday afternoon, the Salt Lake City Police Department's Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) was promptly deployed to a downtown hotel following reports of a suspicious suitcase left unattended. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, the incident commenced around 3:00 p.m. outside the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, triggering a thorough investigation.
Witness statements added to the urgency of the situation, recounting how an individual was seen to suspiciously handle and then abandoned a suitcase near the building's electrical box before fleeing the scene. This action prompted to immediately be taken by SLCPD officers, resulting in a sequence of evacuations and extensive safety measures. The evacuation affected the north side of the 13-floor hotel while hotel guests elsewhere were advised to shelter in place. Officers also shut down West Temple Street between North and South Temple Street during the investigation.
Stakes were high as HDU detectives examined an image of the suitcase's contents, working under the tense awareness that public safety hinged on their assessment. Ultimately, they determined that the suitcase presented no danger, and the evacuation order was subsequently lifted, allowing relieved hotel guests and staff to return to normalcy.
As part of their efforts to ensure community safety, the Salt Lake City Police Department expressed their gratitude for the cooperation of all those impacted by the incident. They take this opportunity to once again urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to 9-1-1. The role of the HDU, an integral part of the Special Operations Division, is to specialize in responding to effectively manage hazardous materials and explosive device threats, with members achieving rigorous training and certifications to do so.
