A bomb threat was reported in room 105 of the Science Building on the Portland Campus on Wednesday, March 23. The threat came by way of a note left under the door of the room.
“The note said something to the effect of ‘This is a bomb threat and you need to leave now.'” said Chief Lisa Beecher of the University Police Department. The note was collected by a staff member who happened into the room.
The USM police were the first on the scene, and immediately evacuated everyone from the Science Building. Following this, they established a perimeter, collected the note as evidence, checked all accessible offices and notified the Portland Fire Department.
The Portland Police and Fire Department were soon on the scene, equipped with a bomb-sniffing dog which is generally stationed at the Portland International Airport.
The only members who were allowed entrance into the building were the Portland Police Department and the bomb-sniffing dog. According to Beecher, the Portland Police are the only ones who have the proper training to deal with a bomb situation. The University police are not given this type of training.
Around two and half hours later, authorities no longer feared any type of bomb was in the building and permitted all students and staff back in the building.
“We are finishing up with looking closely at the evidence we do have, and we are trying to identify possible suspects,” Beecher said. The situation is still under investigation.