LOS ANGELES – The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) will be increasing the security of its animal research laboratories, as well as protection for faculty members, their families and residences.
The move comes after there was an attempt to bomb a researcher’s home on June 30. The device, which was placed at the wrong house, did not detonate but was lighted. Authorities say that if it had exploded, the bomb could have killed the home’s occupants.
In addition to the attempted firebombing, another faculty member reported being repeatedly harassed, which led him to discontinue his research.
Officials blame the attacks and harassment on animal rights extremists, possibly the Animal Liberation Front. The school says these extremists have escalated their activities recently, and the FBI says the trend has been seen nationwide.
A UCLA official announced the university would double the reward – from $30,000 to $60,000 – for information leading to the conviction of those who conducted the June 30 firebombing. Additionally, UCLA will boost security at the residences of faculty members and reduce police response times to incidents at their homes.
