By Gus Saltonstall
A non-hazardous, “inert” grenade was found Friday morning in Central Park near the New York City Marathon finish line, a police spokesperson told West Side Rag.
The New York City Marathon Hub within the park near West 68th Street was evacuated around 10:20 a.m. as a large police presence and bomb squad responded to the device, found on a picnic table in the park near West 68th Street and West Drive, police said, and NBC reported.
NYPD confirmed to the Rag, though, that it was a fake or hoax that posed no threat. NBC acquired a photo of the device that you can see — HERE.
It is unclear why or how the fake grenade ended up on the Central Park picnic table.
Authorities gave the all-clear for people to re-enter the park around 11 a.m. to continue setting up for the Sunday marathon.
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Very worrisome
The West Side really needs more cops and surveillance.