Bomb threat shuts down Main Hall
By Jeff J. Simon
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: News
On Nov. 14, the day after the first real e2campus texts were dispatched, 168 WCU students signed up to receive the alerts. Students, faculty and staff may sign up to receive e2campus alerts-which include safety and school closing messages-at www. wcupa.edu/e2campus.
From Oct.-Nov. 2003, Public Safety and students were victimized by repeated bomb threats made on Tuesdays and Thursdays between noon and 2 p.m. At least once a week for six weeks, police had to evacuate Schmucker, Main, and Anderson Halls and sweep the buildings for explosives.
Det. Sgt. Matthew Paris - who is leading the current investigation - led the 2003 investigation which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of Carl Jameel Young, a former WCU student.
--Blue light system update--
Bicking said that following the alleged assault that occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 7, and the Quad article that followed, the Dept. of Public Safety is now testing each of the 83 blue lights on and around campus at least twice a month. The previous policy called for their testing once monthly.
Bicking did acknowledge that due to a number of factors, it is possible to test one of the lights early in a day and have it fail hours later.
"They are man-made and they will fail," he said. "That's why I have additional officers on in evening and nighttime hours."
He said that since the blue light system's inception, only two crime victims have tried to push an emergency button. The Nov. 7 failure marks a 50 percent success rate.
--Drug-sniffing dog assists cops--
Piper, the drug-sniffing dog that searches for and identifies illicit drugs has aided the local police departments in the seizure of four vehicles and the arrest of eight individuals since September. She has also performed drug sweeps at a local high school.
The Department of Public Safety was able to purchase Piper and have her trained with funding it received from the Chester County District Attorney's office.
Jeff J. Simon is a third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at QuadEIC@wcupa.edu.
From Oct.-Nov. 2003, Public Safety and students were victimized by repeated bomb threats made on Tuesdays and Thursdays between noon and 2 p.m. At least once a week for six weeks, police had to evacuate Schmucker, Main, and Anderson Halls and sweep the buildings for explosives.
Det. Sgt. Matthew Paris - who is leading the current investigation - led the 2003 investigation which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of Carl Jameel Young, a former WCU student.
--Blue light system update--
Bicking said that following the alleged assault that occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 7, and the Quad article that followed, the Dept. of Public Safety is now testing each of the 83 blue lights on and around campus at least twice a month. The previous policy called for their testing once monthly.
Bicking did acknowledge that due to a number of factors, it is possible to test one of the lights early in a day and have it fail hours later.
"They are man-made and they will fail," he said. "That's why I have additional officers on in evening and nighttime hours."
He said that since the blue light system's inception, only two crime victims have tried to push an emergency button. The Nov. 7 failure marks a 50 percent success rate.
--Drug-sniffing dog assists cops--
Piper, the drug-sniffing dog that searches for and identifies illicit drugs has aided the local police departments in the seizure of four vehicles and the arrest of eight individuals since September. She has also performed drug sweeps at a local high school.
The Department of Public Safety was able to purchase Piper and have her trained with funding it received from the Chester County District Attorney's office.
Jeff J. Simon is a third-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at QuadEIC@wcupa.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 41
Yikes
posted 8/29/08 @ 2:35 PM EST
I was Googling something else but I stumbled across this... I've been in a similar situation before and would be quite displeased if the security officers mishandled their communication like this. (Continued…)
Piter
posted 11/13/08 @ 3:57 PM EST
Me also. Previously, I had the same situation as this...it was pretty unpleasant and terrifying.
I totally agree with the idea that all bomb threats that are made to a single building or location must be considered a "priority one" situation. (Continued…)
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posted 1/13/09 @ 4:31 AM EST
"Bicking confirmed that the threat was made from an off-campus location and his department is working with a local police department as well as federal and state agencies to locate the suspected caller. (Continued…)
Sarah Clough
posted 2/19/09 @ 5:02 AM EST
Police, fire and county officials decided to clear the mall in order to conduct a more thorough search of the grounds
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posted 2/19/09 @ 1:57 PM EST
Yes i agree with you , and nice news thanksThis realy nice news , i watch for them .
Paula Todhunter
posted 2/24/09 @ 7:23 AM EST
Thank you for writing the article, I am very pleased with how it came out.
Biuro Baldai
posted 2/24/09 @ 9:06 AM EST
I thought this debate was about them, as opposed to featuring them. Whoops.
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posted 2/28/09 @ 3:22 AM EST
That was a scary threat. Emergency evacuation was compulsory at that time
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posted 2/28/09 @ 3:29 AM EST
University security service must have to consider it seriously.
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posted 3/02/09 @ 12:57 AM EST
I was in Europe for vacations in a train suddenly there was a bomb threat and police evacuate the train but there was nothing. Why these bomb threats are so popular. (Continued…)
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