SM BEACH — A simulated grenade found Friday afternoon just north of the Santa Monica Pier prompted police to evacuate the area.
The discovery was made at 2:50 p.m. in the 1200 block of the beach, police said.
Los Angeles County lifeguards were flagged down by a person walking along the beach who saw the grenade, which is used in military training and sometimes on movie sets, police said. Lifeguards notified police, who determined the device could have been an explosive.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s bomb squad responded and determined the grenade was not dangerous. They took the device and another item from the area. Police continued to search the area and determined it was OK to open it to the public.
No injuries were reported.
kevinh@www.smdp.com