Atlanta police on ‘heightened alert’ as more suspicious packages found elsewhere

There have been no reports of explosives being mailed to anyone in Atlanta, police said Thursday. But the nine suspicious packages sent elsewhere, including to CNN in New York and several key democrats, have prompted police to be on alert.

“The Atlanta Police Department continues to closely monitor these events as they unfold,” the department said in an emailed statement Thursday. “Our leaders and investigators are in contact with counterparts at our partner law enforcement agencies to stay current on developments and the Department’s Homeland Security Unit has been in close contact with CNN security here in Atlanta.”

The Atlanta Police Department is adding officers in undisclosed locations around the city. The FBI’s Atlanta office also said there had been no reports of a threat, but asked the public to report anything suspicious.

“In the meantime, the department is on heightened alert for suspicious activity and is deploying officers to increase visibility at several key locations throughout the city,” APD said.

On Wednesday, The Time Warner Center – CNN’s New York City bureau  – was evacuated after a suspicious package was located. According to investigators, the package matched the suspected bombs mailed to various opponents of President Donald Trump, including former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On Thursday, two similar packages were found that were addressed to former Vice President Joe Biden and another sent to actor Robert De Niro. All nine of the packages are part of a federal investigation.

Atlanta’s CNN Center increased its security Wednesday following news out of New York. Metal detectors were installed at the doors of the CNN Center, which is open to the public. On Thursday, CNN would not comment on security measures at its Atlanta offices.