Science Center Plaza Evacuated for Suspicious Package, Subsequently Deemed Safe

Harvard's Science Center Plaza was evacuated late Thursday afternoon due to a suspicious package.Photo byFrank S. Zhou

By Crimson News Staff

April 13, 2023

UPDATED: April 13, 2023, at 6:38 p.m.

Harvard’s Science Center Plaza and parts of the neighboring Science Center were evacuated by the Harvard University Police Department Thursday afternoon following the discovery of a suspicious bag, though the bag was subsequently deemed safe and no explosion was reported.

“The bag at the Science Center Plaza has been deemed safe. The assessment of the situation is over. No threat to the campus. The area is opened again,” an alert through the school’s MessageMe Emergency Alert System read.

Cambridge Police Department spokesperson Jeremy C. Warnick confirmed that the package was determined to be safe.

“After a thorough investigation, the possible suspicious item has been deemed safe,” Warnick wrote in an email. “The assessment of the situation has concluded. The area has re-opened.”

The plaza was evacuated and sectioned off with police tape at around 4 p.m., with officers instructing students to leave the area. Students were also evacuated from the first floor of the Science Center and its Cabot Science Library. An alert through the University’s alert system sent at 4:47 p.m. advised students to avoid the plaza due to the bag.

“HUPD and CPD officers are at the Science Center Plaza on the report of a suspicious bag. Please avoid the area. Officers are evaluating the situation,” the alert read.

A loud noise was heard in the area at 5:34 p.m., though HUPD spokesperson Steven G. Catalano confirmed in an email that this was due to the use of a water cannon. A follow-up alert indicated that loud noises in the area were due to equipment being used on the package.

“The assessment into the bag is still ongoing. It includes using equipment that will generate loud noises. Please continue to avoid the Science Center Plaza,” the alert read. “More information to follow.”

Cambridge Police Department spokesperson Warnick confirmed the department assisted in the response.

“We are supporting HUPD and have officers from our Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (Technicians and K9s) assisting following a report of a possible suspicious bag in the area of the Science Center Plaza,” Warnick wrote. “The situation is being evaluated.”

Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana and Interim Dean of Students Lauren E. Brandt ’01, both present at the scene, declined to comment on the situation.

“You should refer to the information that HUPD has been communicating via MessageMe for questions about the ongoing situation,” College spokesperson Jonathan Palumbo wrote in an emailed statement. “We are communicating with students and Houses about allowing interhouse dining in order to account for access to dinner for this evening.”

This story will be updated.