A bomb threat called in to the Stanford Shopping Center on Wednesday prompted Palo Alto police to sweep the area in search of any explosives with the help of a K-9. The preliminary investigation turned up nothing.
The threat was called in to the shopping center's management office at around 10:15 a.m., police said. The mall is located at 180 El Camino Real between Sand Hill and Quarry roads, adjacent to Stanford University.
Officers and mall security team members were sent across the mall with a police K-9 to look for explosives, according to the Police Department. At that point, most stores weren't open for business.
The police sweep was wrapped up as of 11:30 a.m. with no bomb found, police said. Mall operations appeared to be normal at that point. Shoppers were popping into stores, people were eating at outdoor tables and delivery drivers were dropping off packages. Several police cars were in the process of leaving the area.
The Police Department planned to increase patrols in the area due to the called-in threat. The caller was a man; the agency didn't provide further details on the suspect's description.
The public was advised to avoid the area during the investigation. No evacuations or lockdowns were ordered.
Anyone with information about the threat is asked to call the department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be emailed to [email protected] or sent by text message or voicemail to 650-383-8984.
Comments
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:24 am
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:24 am
@GS better to do a story about PAUSD teens being left to fend. Or worse apprehended, detained and cuffed by Stanford SC security for bagging a $15 bra. Really??? Meanwhile people car jacked at gun point in the lot, crazies shooting out— shattering store front windows, bomb threats closing the entire mall, wind storms and floods closing stores.And... PAUSD teen resident gets caught, handcuffed and held for taking a single $25 undergarment and treated like a, Terrorist? Sickening. Totally unacceptable & uncalled for. Our teens have nothing here. No skateboard shop, a creepy skate park, no viable or active teen outlet, little to zero off campus positive resource other than having a local job. Our teens need help, they need positive city supported outlets. A “third space”without it being Bloomingdales angst. I inquire: City of PA, as the adult in the room, what have you done lately to encourage a teen (outside your child) to get involved in a positive way? Outside of the rigor of academia ? Candy Stripping is no longer an option.
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:29 am
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 2:29 am
I might add. Post WWII in San Fran teens coming of age were a plenty, and plenty of nothing to do but get into trouble. Teens began “squatting” at abandoned blg sites . The City saw this as an opportunity. Seized a portion of the structure properties.,Thus became centers for teens to go ...etc
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 19, 2023 at 7:53 am
Registered user
on Mar 19, 2023 at 7:53 am
Can't agree more with the previous posts. (No like button).
Teens have nothing in Palo Alto and it is getting worse. With all the wet weather we have had recently it is evident that it is not just teens but younger children with nothing to do inside in the rain. Where are all the fast food outlets with playgrounds and ball pits? Where are all the mini golf, bowling alley, indoor baby gyms (actually there is one in Midtown)?
If nothing else, we do need a page online for sharing places for teen hangouts. Youth Clubs, places to hangout where teens don't get told to leave if they make a noise.