Suspicious package on Highway 217 deemed not dangerous, traffic resumes

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Highway 217 in Santa Barbara County was partially closed Friday afternoon due to a suspicious package in the roadway.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office responded to a business at the corner of Hollister Avenue and Kellogg Avenue around 11:04 a.m. to investigate the package.

Upon arriving, deputies found a cardboard box with a shoe string tied around it and decided to call in the Bomb Squad.

During this time, traffic was diverted from Hollister to Kellogg for the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

The Bomb Squad arrived on scene and used a remote-controlled bomb robot to open the suspicious package.

Using a camera on the robot, the Bomb Squad was able to see that the box only contained what appears to be a broom head, wooden clothespins and some type of wire decoration. Deputies determined the package and its contents were harmless.

The box was then fully opened and placed into a Santa Barbara County Sheriff's vehicle.

Highway 217 was reopened and traffic was allowed to resume.

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office provided the following advice for any members of the public who come across a suspicious package:

• Do not open or shake the package
• Leave the package where you found it
• Stay clear of the immediate area and encourage others to do the same
• Call law enforcement
• Do not bring the item to law enforcement, let them respond to your location