{
  "id": "2024-02-07-university-of-florida-suspicious-package",
  "slug": "university-of-florida-suspicious-package-2024-02-07",
  "institution": {
    "name": "University of Florida",
    "shortName": "UF",
    "state": "FL",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "enrollment": 60000,
    "alertSystemName": "UF Alert",
    "alertPlatform": "Rave"
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2024-02-07",
    "type": "suspicious-package",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "resolution": "unfounded",
    "headline": "Oddly taped package prompts Peabody Hall evacuation; bomb squad finds no hazard",
    "headlinePublic": "Oddly taped package prompts Peabody Hall evacuation; bomb squad finds no hazard",
    "summary": "On February 7, 2024, a [suspicious package was reported at Peabody Hall](https://www.wuft.org/public-safety/2024-02-07/a-suspicious-package-at-peabody-hall-deemed-not-a-threat) on the University of Florida campus. A staff member called UFPD around 8:00 a.m. EST to report an oddly taped cylindrical tube delivered by an unknown person. The [Alachua County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad](https://www.wcjb.com/2024/02/07/uf-alert-peabody-hall-evacuated-due-suspicious-package/) determined the package contained no hazardous materials, and normal operations resumed by 10:17 a.m. EST.",
    "outcome": "The package was determined to contain no hazardous or explosive materials. Normal operations at Peabody Hall resumed at approximately 10:17 a.m. EST on February 7, 2024. No academic disruptions were reported."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "Approximately 8:38 AM EST on February 7, 2024",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": false,
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert Archive — Gainesville #8 (Peabody initial)",
      "annotations": [],
      "sourceUrl": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-8/"
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "update",
      "timestampApprox": "Mid-morning on February 7, 2024, after the initial evacuation alert",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Suspicious Package at Peabody Hall. Law Enforcement is on scene awaiting assistance from mutual aid resources. Please stay clear of the area.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-9/",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert Archive — Gainesville #9",
      "annotations": [
        "Posted to UF Alert's verified X account on February 7, 2024, the first follow-up confirming UFPD was awaiting bomb-squad mutual aid from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office",
        "Uses the standard 'UF Alert-Gainesville Update:' prefix that appears across other UF emergency tweets",
        "Issued before the Alachua County Bomb Squad arrived to render the cylindrical tube safe"
      ],
      "characterCount": 141
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "timestampApprox": "Approximately 10:17 AM EST on February 7, 2024",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Suspicious Package – The joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and UFPD is continuing at Peabody Hall. Please continue to follow the instructions of law enforcement.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-12/",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert Archive — Gainesville #12",
      "annotations": [
        "Joint investigation continuing update at 9:58 am from UF Alert archive"
      ],
      "characterCount": 186
    },
    {
      "sequence": 4,
      "type": "all-clear",
      "channel": "sms",
      "verbatimText": "Suspicious Package – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and UFPD have deemed the package not a threat. Law enforcement has cleared Peabody Hall. Normal operations may resume.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-13/",
      "sourceDescription": "UF Alert Archive — Gainesville #13",
      "characterCount": 175,
      "annotations": [
        "Package deemed not a threat; Peabody cleared"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "responseTimeMinutes": 38,
  "context": "The [Peabody Hall suspicious package incident](https://www.wuft.org/public-safety/2024-02-07/a-suspicious-package-at-peabody-hall-deemed-not-a-threat) on February 7, 2024, was resolved quickly and without any academic disruption. A university staff member reported the oddly taped cylindrical tube to UFPD around 8:00 a.m. EST, and the building was evacuated as a precaution. [Peabody Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Florida) is one of the oldest buildings on the UF campus and houses the Dean of Students office and Counseling Center. The [Alachua County Bomb Squad responded](https://alachuachronicle.com/peabody-hall-evacuated-for-suspicious-package/) and determined the package was not a threat. By 10:17 a.m. EST, [normal operations had resumed](https://www.wcjb.com/2024/02/07/uf-alert-peabody-hall-evacuated-due-suspicious-package/). This incident represents the type of suspicious package response that campus police handle routinely but that still requires activating the full emergency notification system to protect the campus community.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Archive Gainesville #13",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-13/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Archive Gainesville #12",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-12/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Archive Gainesville #9",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-9/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert Archive — Gainesville #8 (Peabody initial)",
      "url": "https://ufalert.ufl.edu/2024/02/07/uf-alert-gainesville-8/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "A suspicious package at Peabody Hall deemed not a threat (WUFT)",
      "url": "https://www.wuft.org/public-safety/2024-02-07/a-suspicious-package-at-peabody-hall-deemed-not-a-threat",
      "type": "local-media",
      "accessDate": "2026-05-02"
    },
    {
      "title": "UF Alert: Normal operations resume at Peabody Hall (WCJB)",
      "url": "https://www.wcjb.com/2024/02/07/uf-alert-peabody-hall-evacuated-due-suspicious-package/",
      "type": "local-media",
      "accessDate": "2026-05-02"
    },
    {
      "title": "Peabody Hall evacuated for suspicious package (Alachua Chronicle)",
      "url": "https://alachuachronicle.com/peabody-hall-evacuated-for-suspicious-package/",
      "type": "local-media",
      "accessDate": "2026-05-02"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "suspicious-package",
    "bomb-squad",
    "florida",
    "public-r1",
    "evacuation",
    "unfounded",
    "quick-resolution"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-05-02",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-20",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}