Chicago Police gave the all-clear Saturday morning after their investigation of a suspicious package near the 57th Street Metra station determined the package posed no danger.
University of Chicago Police assisted Chicago Police and Metra Police after officials received a call reporting an unattended package near the station. While the package was being investigated, police closed the area immediately around the station.
At 9:50 a.m., the University of Chicago used its cAlert emergency messaging system to inform members of the University community about police activity near the station, asking them to stay away from the area. At 10:19 a.m., an all-clear message was sent out on the cAlert system.
Students living in a residence hall at 57thStreet and Stony Island Avenue were given a more detailed message. The residence hall was not evacuated, though students who were away from the building were asked not to return until the situation was resolved.
The Metra station has resumed its normal function and the area around it is now open.
The cAlert system is the University of Chicago's emergency notification system. In the event of a potentially life-threatening situation that requires immediate action by UChicago community members, messages are sent by email, phone message and text message. To verify your cAlert information is accurate or to add devices to your cAlert profile, go to the website calert.uchicago.edu and log in, using your cNet identification and password. The site will prompt you to edit or add information.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
