Photo: Bjoern Wylezich / iStock / Getty Images
A device initially thought to be suspicious near Syracuse City Hall was identified as a noise monitoring device related to the Interstate 81 construction project. The discovery on Monday (September 29) led to the evacuation of City Hall and street closures as a precaution. Syracuse police used a drone and a robot to investigate the device, which was strapped to a tree, before determining it posed no threat to the public.
According to Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, the device was installed by a contractor for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to monitor environmental and traffic noise as part of the I-81 project. The noise monitors were placed around the city to collect baseline data. Officials confirmed that all similar devices will be removed today, and City Hall will reopen.
Elizabeth Parmley, the director of the I-81 Viaduct Project, expressed regret over the incident, stating, "NYSDOT regrets any inconvenience this incident has caused and is working with city authorities to resolve this issue and prevent future occurrences of this nature." The police have cleared the scene, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.