UPDATE: BPD confirmed after investigating the suspicious package, it was determined it was an empty box. The scene is safe and people are being let back into the Superintendent of Schools building.

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A bomb squad is now on scene where a suspicious item was found near the Kern County Superintendent of Schools building on 17th and L Street.

The package appears to have a red bow on it. A bomb squad robot is being used to investigate the package.

The street is currently blocked from traffic and the building is cleared at this time, according to a BPD officer on scene.

According to Rob Meszaros with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, the building was evacuated by BPD at around 8:15 a.m. A suspicious box was noticed in front of the building at approximately 7:30 a.m. They expect to be out of the building for another 1 to 2 hours. 

According to the officer on scene, BPD will be there for a while to investigate.