ATLANTA — Residents told only Channel 2 Action News that they were asked to evacuate after the discovery of a suspicious device.
It was part of the same Georgia State University art project that brought the Downtown Connector in Atlanta to a standstill Monday.
Tuesday, residents say a bomb squad was called out to a pedestrian bridge in Hapeville near the train depot.
"There were a lot of officials, and a bomb squad and lots of officials around because they had evacuated the area," said business owner Ardina Pierre.
Pierre's shop is on South Central Avenue, with a view of the pedestrian bridge right outside of her window.
She says she was given the choice to evacuate or stay put.
"They totally stopped all the traffic both ways," she said. "They even stopped the train."
Atlanta police say Georgia State University claimed responsibility for the devices and apologized.
They say the devices are cameras for an art project, and 18 of them were placed in locations around the metro area.
"It may have put a lot of people on edge and we don't need that in this day and age at all," said GSU Student Kimberly Minor.
"If they communicated, let people know, 'hey we're doing this,' it wouldn't have been a big deal," added GSU student Jeremy Adams.
Channel 2's Carl Willis went by the home of the art professor who was over this project. She didn't answer the door, and school leaders refused to go on camera Tuesday.
However, Atlanta Police Department confirms that they met with the professor and made their message clear.
"Ideally, we would not want them to put anything on public property of this nature that could pose public harm," said Asst. Chief Shawn Jones.
Pierre says she never felt that her safety was threatened, but understands the response.
"It could have been serious and they have to take the precaution necessary," said Pierre.
Police say this incident is still under investigation and it's not clear if anyone will be charged, or made to repay the cost to the city and the state.
WSBTV
