Local law enforcement agents beefed up patrols and dispatched bomb-sniffing dogs to Mississippi State University buildings as police reacted to a telephoned bomb threat Friday.
It is not known if any explosive material was discovered as of press time Saturday as officials, citing the nature of an ongoing investigation.
“At this time, MSU believes that our campus buildings have been inspected and secured,” the university announced via its emergency website at 6:34 p.m. Friday.
The first notice of a bomb threat was posted to the site at 5:30 p.m. after it was made through the campus telephone operator system.
Campus police officers and K-9 units began sweeping populated areas – residence halls and other areas where youth gathered for Boys State and cheerleader camps – while Oktibbeha County deputies increased local patrols in the area.
“As a matter of policy, we take all such threats seriously and govern our response accordingly,” said MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter in a statement posted to social media. “The university will not release additional details, as this threat remains an ongoing investigation.”
False bomb threats carry a maximum penalty of $10,000, 10 years in jail or both.
“Even if it was a hoax, first responders don’t know that when the call is made. You have to go through the procedure the same way every time,” said Oktibbeha County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
