False bomb threat at Wilshire Blvd. Temple drew LAPD to the scene

The Los Angeles police bomb squad searched the premises of Wilshire Boulevard Temple after the synagogue’s security guards reported an unattended canvas shopping bag lying inside the gate.

For a short while on Thursday morning, Wilshire Boulevard in front of the temple was cordoned off, from Kingsley Dr. to two blocks west at Serrano Ave.

Police responded to an 8 a.m. call from the temple, a spokesman said.

Howard Kaplan, the temple’s executive director, said that security guards told him early this morning that the suspicious bag had not been there when they made their late night rounds the previous day.

“Particularly in light of the shooting at the North Hollywood congregation this morning, we felt it prudent to notify the police,” Kaplan said.

The squad determined the contents of the bag were harmless and within 30 minutes the incident was over.