UMPI receives bomb threat

13 years ago

UMPI receives bomb threat

By Jon Gulliver

Staff writer

PRESQUE ISLE — Police are still investigating a bomb threat which prompted an evacuation of the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus on Thursday afternoon.

At 12:23 p.m. the Presque Isle Police Department received a 9-1-1 call about a perceived threat at the university. Apparently the bomb threat was relayed through the Internet by a service used by the deaf to communicate.

University security was notified and the UMPI Emergency Response Team immediately gathered and followed established protocols.

ne-umpievacuation-(clr) dc3-sh-47Staff photo/Jon Gulliver
A POLICE CAR blocks the entrance to the University of Maine at Presque Isle, following a bomb threat last week. Buildings were evacuated and a search of the campus found no bombs present. The case remains under investigation by the Presque Isle Police Department.

Corporal Wayne Selfridge of the PIPD said the campus was locked down and the students were taken to a secure location and a building-by-building search was initiated. A Maine State Police bomb dog was brought in to help in the search. No explosive device was found. The campus reopened at about 4:30 p.m.

UMPI President Don Zillman, in a letter to the campus community on Friday, said, “We are taking this opportunity to fine-tune our response and have started a review of campus procedures for this and other emergency situations.” Zillman added, “Looking back at yesterday’s experiences, though, leaves us feeling good about our ability to quickly alert everyone through our e2campus emergency notification system and campus email. We are very pleased with the campus community’s calm and orderly response to the situation.

Corporal Selfridge said a person of interest was identified early on in the investigation; however, convincing evidence was discovered that proved his innocence.

“Communications forensics is focusing on a male suspect with no student, staff or campus affiliation,” Selfridge said. “Investigation into this domestic terrorism is ongoing.”