7 HCBUs Receive Bomb Threats in 1 Day
The bomb threats prompted the historically Black colleges and universities to lockdown or evacuate.
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On Tuesday, at least seven historically Black colleges and universities (HCBUs) received bomb threats.
The HCBUs that received the threats were Norfolk State University, Florida Memorial University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Xavier University and Howard University.
The threats prompted the campuses to lockdown or evacuate.
Norfolk State University police relocated the school’s students, faculty and staff to another location while officers cleared the campus, reports the Virginian-Pilot.
NC Central sent out a temporary evacuation notice, and the all-clear was given at 9:15 p.m., reports CBS17.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), most bomb threats are received by phone. Bomb threats are serious until proven otherwise. DHS advises campuses that receive bomb threats to act quickly but remain calm and obtain information.
If a bomb threat is received by phone, there are a few steps that should be followed, according to DHS:
- Remain calm. Keep the caller on the line for as long as possible. DO NOT HANG UP, even if the caller does.
- Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest.
- Try to keep the caller talking to learn more information.
- If possible, write a note to a colleague to call the authorities or, as soon as the caller hangs up, immediately notify them yourself.
- If your phone has a display, copy the number and/or letters on the window display.
- Complete the Bomb Threat Checklist (reverse side) immediately. Write down as much detail as you can remember. Try to get exact words.
- Immediately upon termination of the call, do not hang up, but from a different phone, contact FPS immediately with information and await instructions.
DO NOT:
- Use two-way radios or cellular phone. Radio signals have the potential to detonate a bomb.
- Touch or move a suspicious package.
Download the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s Bomb Threat Checklist.
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About the Author
Robin Hattersley, Editor-in-Chief
Robin has been covering the security and campus law enforcement industries since 1998 and is a specialist in school, university and hospital security, public safety and emergency management, as well as emerging technologies and systems integration. She joined CS in 2005 and has authored award-winning editorial on campus law enforcement and security funding, officer recruitment and retention, access control, IP video, network integration, event management, crime trends, the Clery Act, Title IX compliance, sexual assault, dating abuse, emergency communications, incident management software and more. Robin has been featured on national and local media outlets and was formerly associate editor for the trade publication Security Sales & Integration. She obtained her undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Long Beach.
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