A suspicious canister prompted Miami police to close several downtown streets Tuesday morning while officers investigated the item. The disruption centered near North Miami Avenue and Northeast Fifth Street, temporarily turning a busy stretch of downtown into a no-go zone.
In an alert posted by Miami PD shortly after 10 a.m., the department said the canister was found at N. Miami Avenue and NE 5th Street. Police said the closure runs from NW 1st Avenue to NE 1st Avenue between 3rd and 6th streets and urged people to avoid the area.
Police Have Not Identified The Canister
The initial alert did not say what the canister contained, whether it posed an explosive or hazardous-material threat, or when the streets would reopen. It also did not mention any injuries, arrests, evacuations or property damage.
Drivers and pedestrians traveling through downtown Miami should use alternate routes and stay clear of the blocked blocks while the investigation continues. The department had not released additional details in its initial traffic notice.
