The Santa Cruz County Governmental Center on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz was evacuated Friday morning after a suspicious white substance was reportedly mailed to U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s office.
According to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and firefighters responded to the building at 701 Ocean St. at about 10:09am after potentially hazardous materials were discovered.
The entire building was evacuated as a precaution. No injuries have been reported.
The courthouse and county offices will likely remain closed for the rest of the day, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“The safety of everyone working in and visiting the building is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we assess the situation,” the Sheriff’s Office said in an email.
County spokesman Jason Hoppin said the incident appears to match a pattern of similar incidents across the country, none of which have involved dangerous substances so far.
“But we’ll do our due diligence and make sure there is no threat before allowing the public and staff back into the building,” Hoppin said.
Hoppin said the courthouse and county building at 701 Ocean St. remain closed, but all other county buildings are open.
People needing county services are encouraged to check online at santacruzcountyca.gov.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators are looking into whether the incident is connected to similar reports elsewhere in the country.
“No connection has been confirmed at this time,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
It was not immediately clear what the substance was or whether anyone had been exposed.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
