Update: Suspicious Backpack Prompts Evacuation of City Hall

Newport Beach City Hall was evacuated today after an employee noticed a suspicious backpack, which was later determined to only be carrying personal items, a police official reported.

Police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said at about 10 a.m., a city employee found the backpack between City Council chambers and the administrative building.

"We did a basic assessment of the backpack and as a precautionary measure we decided to evacuate the building," Lowe said. "The employee thought it was suspicious because where it was found doesn't typically get a lot of foot traffic."

The Orange County Sheriff's Department bomb squad responded to the scene and spent two hours investigating the backpack.

"They were able to determine that the backpack contained miscellaneous personal items and was deemed not hazardous," Lowe said.

About 200 employees were evacuated from City Hall, but by 1:30 p.m. it was back to business as usual, city officials reported.

As a result of the backpack investigation, Newport Boulevard between West Coast Highway and 32nd Street was closed but has since reopened.