Suspicious Device Triggers Panorama School Evacuations

PANORAMA CITY, CA — A suspicious device led to evacuations Thursday of two schools in Panorama City, but students were eventually dismissed for the day and a bomb squad declared the area safe.

The investigation began about 12:25 p.m. at a parking structure in the 14500 block of Blythe Street, where a bomb squad was eventually sent, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Panorama High School at 8015 Van Nuys Blvd. and nearby Cal Burke Continuation High School at 14630 Lanark St. were evacuated, according to Los Angeles School police.

The suspicious device was found on the "perimeter" of Panorama High School, school police said.

Students from both schools were evacuated to Michelle Obama Elementary School at 8150 Cedros Ave., where parents and guardians were instructed to make arrangements to pick up evacuated students.

The elementary school's students were dismissed at the regular time of 2:19 p.m., according to school police.

The bomb squad declared the area safe by mid-afternoon, according to School Police. No details were immediately available about the item that prompted the investigation.

City News Service