A suspicious package that was stuffed into a mail box at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive caused concern prior to the Hollywood Christmas Parade last Sunday. The item turned out to be a purse. (photo by Gregory Cornfield)

A suspicious package prompted the Los Angeles Police Department to deploy the bomb squad last Sunday prior to the beginning of the 84th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.

The area around the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive was evacuated for approximately three hours until authorities determined the package was a purse that had been placed in the opening of a mailbox and there was no threat to the public.

“It ended up being trash,” LAPD spokeswoman Jenny Houser said. “Someone had put a purse in a mailbox. It was a false alarm.”

The package was reported at approximately 1:28 p.m. near the intersection, which is the beginning of the parade route. The Los Angeles Police Department deployed additional resources to the area on Nov. 29 for the parade.

Houser said no other incidents were reported during the paradewhich began at 5 p.m. and followed a route east on Hollywood Boulevard, south on Vine Street and west on Sunset Boulevard to Orange Drive.