Overview
- Sheriff’s deputies spotted an unattended bag during City Council’s first fall-session meeting and officials evacuated City Hall on Thursday morning for safety.
- Bomb technicians and K9 units examined the backpack after two dogs signaled an alert, and X‑ray and manual inspection found no explosive device.
- A city employee was detained during the evacuation after being identified on video as the likely owner of the bag, and police said no charges were filed.
- Evacuees were allowed back into the building shortly before 1 p.m., and Council reconvened about an hour after the initial alarm.
- Officials stressed that canine alerts can pick up trace residues from nonexplosive sources such as firearms powder or fireworks, which explains why a detection does not always mean a bomb and is why strict protocols led to the precautionary response