LAPD Headquarters Evacuated Due To Suspicious Package

UPDATE: 12:50 a.m. EST — Operations would resume soon at the Los Angeles Police Department after hazmat officials announced the workplace was safe.

UPDATE: A suspicious envelope containing a powdery substance at LAPD Headquarters in Downtown LA has been cleared and determined to be safe by our HazMat Unit. The area will be re-opening soon to normal operations.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 11, 2019

UPDATE: 12:35 a.m. EST — The Los Angeles Police Department said the suspicious package contained a powdery substance. Reports also said six people were exposed to the substance, but had shown no signs of being adversely affected so far.

UPDATE: A suspicious envelope containing a powdery substance is currently being investigated by our LAPD HazMat Unit. LAPD Headquarters remains evacuated at this time.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 11, 2019

Original story:

The Los Angeles Police Department headquarters was evacuated Thursday night after a suspicious package was discovered in the main building.

Officials urged citizens to avoid the area in and around Downtown Los Angeles, where the building is located. Hazmat officials were present at the scene, trying to determine the content inside the package. Updates would be made later, the police department tweeted.

Due to a suspicious package, LAPD’s Headquarters located at 1st and Main in Downtown Los Angeles has been evacuated. HazMat Personnel are responding and we will update as information becomes available. Please avoid the area.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 11, 2019

According to reports, the evacuation began just after 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. EST). The package was found in the mail room, ABC7 Eyewitness News reported.