Broadway closed after discovery of suspicious item last night

The discovery of a suspicious item forced the closure of West Broadway in both directions between Birch and Alder Street on Wednesday evening.

The closure took place after police received a 9-1-1 call and arrived to the scene to find what appeared to be a pressure cooker.

“In an abundance of caution, the immediate area was evacuated and the VPD Explosives Disposal Unit was brought in to examine and x-ray the item,” the VPD said in a release.

In the end, it was determined the cooker posed no public threat, and the street was re-opened.

Investigators are now trying to identify who put the item there – and why.