Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook and officers have been monitoring several bomb threats affecting businesses and employees in the City.
The threats, which came in the form of emails made reference to the detonation of an explosive device if the recipient didn’t comply with financial demands.
Similar emails have circulated across the country.
Chief Holbrook says, “Report any threatening email to law enforcement. Our federal partners recommend that you save the email for future review by the police.”
CPD has received five reports of emails being sent to the following five (5) locations beginning at 2:20 p.m. :
1530 Richland Street
1812 Lincoln Street
2001 Assembly Street
1700 Taylor Street
1612 Marion Street
CPD officers were dispatched to those locations and after a thorough sweep of buildings did not find any hazardous materials or threat to public safety.
“We understand and appreciate that folks are hypersensitive at this time. We ask that citizens stay vigilant. If you see something, say something,” says Chief.
CPD’s law enforcement partner, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the following statement, “
“We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”