Reports of possible pipe bombs at El Camino Health’s Los Gatos Hospital jolted the quiet South Bay campus on Thursday, prompting a full sweep by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad. Explosive-detection dogs and specialized technicians combed the hospital grounds after local police requested emergency support. In the end, officials said, nothing dangerous was found and the scene was secured, but residents were reminded to stay vigilant and keep dialing in suspicious activity.
According to a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office post, the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department called in the county Bomb Squad after reports of suspicious items at the hospital. Deputies and specialized units responded to investigate and secure the area, and the post urged anyone with information or concerns about suspicious activity to contact law enforcement.
Full Sweep Turned Up No Hazardous Items
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office reported that a full sweep found no hazardous items. With no devices located, responders were able to clear the scene and hand control back to local officers. The post did not say where the initial report originated or whether any individuals were detained in connection with the scare.
How the Bomb Squad Handles a Scare Like This
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office describes its Bomb Squad as a mutual-aid team certified in hazardous-device mitigation and post-blast investigation that responds around the clock to suspected explosives. The unit leans on canine teams, robots and other specialized tools to check suspicious packages from a safe distance, helping local departments keep the public back while trained technicians examine and, if needed, render devices safe.
About the Los Gatos Hospital
El Camino Health lists its Los Gatos campus as an acute-care hospital with on-site emergency services serving South Bay communities. The hospital’s location page offers contact and visitor information for patients and families looking for updates on campus operations. Officials have not released additional operational details beyond what was shared in the sweep summary on the sheriff’s page.
What Residents Are Urged To Do
Authorities are using the incident as a reminder not to get hands-on with anything that looks suspicious. "Never pick up or disturb a bomb or suspicious package," the Sheriff’s Office warns, adding that anyone who spots suspicious activity should call 911 or reach out to local police with tips. Officials said they will release more information if the investigation develops new leads.
