College of the Redwoods Campus Closed Today–Threat to Campus Security!

UPDATE 4:14 P.M: 

College of The Redwoods’ statement below. – MD

CR Eureka campus bomb search reveals no suspicious evidence;

classes, activities will resume as usual on Friday, April 19

             The search of the College of the Redwoods main Eureka campus for a possible bomb was concluded at approximately noon on Thursday, April 18.

 The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and CR Security and staff were assisted by personnel from Eureka Police, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, F.B.I., Humboldt State University, Humboldt Bay Fire District and Cal Fire. No explosives or suspicious devices were located. Sheriff’s detectives are continuing with the criminal investigation.

“When you are experiencing a crisis situation you really find out how many community partners you have who are dedicated to the safety of CR students, faculty and staff.  We sincerely appreciate the assistance of all the emergency personnel as well as Eureka City Schools, Humboldt State University and Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA), all of whom provided services to our residence halls students during this challenging time.”

The CR residence halls students returned to the campus late Thursday afternoon.

Classes at the Eureka main campus will resume as usual on Friday, April 19. The campus will remain closed for the rest of Thursday for all classes and activities, including the AAU basketball league games and Take Back the Night t-shirt decorating event.

            On Thursday at approximately 12:15 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified by   CR students of an internet posting regarding a bomb threat directed at the CR Eureka campus. The internet posting stated the bomb would detonate on Thursday, April 18. The Sheriff’s Office immediately notified CR Security. The college administration decided to close campus as a precaution and all classes and activities were canceled for the day. All CR residence hall students were evacuated for the day to an offsite location provided by Eureka City Schools.  The Humboldt Transit Authority provided transportation and Humboldt State University contributed food for the students.

Sheriff’s detectives are working with the internet provider to determine who posted the threat. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was also notified and was present on campus during the search. False reporting of a bomb is a crime and subject to state prison and fines.

            Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251, the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539 or CR Public Information Officer Paul DeMark at (707) 476-4561. 

UPDATE 1:39 P.M.: The Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Office states no suspicious devices found,

The search of the College of the Redwoods (C.R.) Campus was concluded at approximately 12:00 noon today. The Humboldt County Sheriffs Office was assisted searching the campus by personnel from Eureka Police, Humboldt County Drug Task Force, F.B.I., Humboldt State University, College of Redwoods Security, Humboldt Bay Fire District, Cal Fire and C.R. Administrative Staff. No explosives or suspicious devices were located. Sheriffs Detectives are continuing with the criminal investigation.

UPDATE 9:34 a.m.: KHUM’s Cliff Berkowitz spoke with CR’s Paul DeMark who went into more detail about this morning’s incident. Listen to that audio here. -AG

UPDATE, 8:50 a.m.: From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 4-18-2013, approximately 12:15 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified by College of the Redwoods (C.R.) students of an internet posting of a bomb threat directed at the C.R. campus. The internet posting stated the bomb would detonate today, 04-18-2013. The Sheriff’s Office immediately notified College of the Redwoods Security. 

The college administration decided to close campus for the day as a precaution all classes were canceled for the day. All C.R. residence hall students were evacuated for the day as a precaution to an offsite locate. The Sheriff’s Office and multiple Humboldt County allied agencies are responding to the campus to conduct a search of the campus today with College of the Redwoods staff. Sheriff’s Detectives are working with the internet provider to determine who posted the threat. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was also notified. False reporting of a bomb is a crime and subject to state prison and fines.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

Further information will be released as it develops. College of the Redwoods Public Information Officer Paul DeMark can be reached at 707-834-5938 or [email protected] or [email protected].   

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UPDATE 7:06 A.M.: Rowan Analee, a reader, received the following from the C.R. Child Development Center,

Subject: Campus Closed

Group: Site

Message:

Dear Parents:

I just received a call from campus administration, notifying us that the campus will be closed today due to a bomb threat. Do not go to campus. I will post further information regarding the reopening of campus as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Michelle Hancock

UPDATE 6:50 A.M.: A parent told LoCO that a robo call was received at around 5:20 A.M. announcing the campus’s closure.

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UPDATE 6:12 A.M.: Paul DeMark, a spokesperson for C.R., sent LoCO an email that says,

College of the Redwoods’ main Eureka campus will be closed for classes, day and evening, on Thursday, April 18 due to a threat to campus security. All residence hall students have been relocated to a safe location. College personnel are working with the Humboldt County Sheriff”s Department to ensure a safe campus. Students and staff will not be allowed on campus today. An upate will follow as soon as possible. 

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Academy of the Redwoods, a high school program based on the College of the Redwoods campus just announced on their Facebook page that the entire campus will be closed today.  Here is the announcement

Good Morning,

The College of the Redwoods campus will be closed today. There will not be any AR classes today, Thursday, April 18th. I will update families as soon as more information is available.

Thank you, 

Danielle Carmesin, Principal, Academy of the Redwoods

LoCO is attempting to get more information.  We’ll update as soon as possible.