Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Classes were cancelled at Northern Maine Community College early Friday morning, when two separate calls were received reporting a bomb on campus.
The Presque Isle Police Department was notified at approximately 7:59 a.m. and responded to the scene.
“We had a report of a bomb threat at the Christie Complex on the property of Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) that had been made via the telephone,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, PIPD.
Det. Bill Scull and Officer Peter Johnson, PIPD, responded to investigate.
“Officers responded, secured the scene and evacuated the Christie Complex, as well as surrounding buildings on the NMCC property. The Maine State Police were contacted and Trooper Shawn Whalen responded with his K-9 bomb dog, Bailey,” Seeley said.
Students and staff were notified of the threat through the campus’s emergency alert system, a program that uses phone, fax, cell phone, e-mail and other means to evacuate the campus. Those on campus were asked to leave, while commuters were told to stay away.
The complex was searched and the campus was subsequently cleared by the K-9 and responding officers at approximately 10:45 a.m.
Classes were cancelled for the day and resumed on Monday.
“The case currently remains under investigation by Det. Scull, with the assistance of Officer Johnson,” said Seeley.
Police are investigating all leads and encourage anyone with information to contact Scull at 764-4476.
The perpetrator(s) could face charges for terrorizing, a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, according to Deputy D.A. Carrie Linthicum.
NMCC President Tim Crowley said he couldn’t recall the college ever having a bomb threat before.
“I’ve been with the institution for over 20 years. This is a first for me,” said Crowley. “I’m pleased with the police response. We had a great response from the State Police, with the bomb team arriving quickly. In no time at all, we were good to go.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A BOMB THREAT around 8 a.m. Friday caused NMCC classes to be canceled and buildings to be evacuated. Having found no bomb, officials gathered outside the Martin Building prior to reopening the campus. Pictured, from left, clockwise: Maine State Police bomb K-9, Bailey; Bailey’s handler, Maine State Trooper Shawn Whalen; Det. Bill Scull, PIPD; NMCC President Tim Crowley; Jason Parent, NMCC director of development and college relations; and two unidentified individuals.
