Superior courthouse evacuated due to bomb threat

People at the Imperial County Superior Court House were evacuated due to a bomb-threat.

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UPDATE:

The Imperial County Superior Court House in El Centro was evacuated this morning after a bomb threat was called in.

We spoke to authorities who are investigating the situation.

“At about 9:45 in the morning one of our clerks in the lower criminal department received several phone calls referencing a bomb at the courthouse,” said Sgt. Mike Mistriel, of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO).

The building was then quickly evacuated and a bomb unit was called to the scene.

“We immediately start following our own procedure, the building is evacuated of course for safety. Once that is done, both El Centro Fire Department here in El Centro and County Fire Bomb Squad is called out, the building is searched prior to having anyone go back in,” explained Mistriel.

Authorities tell us that protocols may vary depending on the workplace and dealing with bomb threats. They advise that you reach out to your employer and ask what the plan of action is so that you are prepared.

After the building is deemed safe, people are then allowed back inside. The vigorous search conducted by the bomb unit takes about an hour or longer depending on the size of the building. And unfortunately bomb threats aren’t uncommon for this facility.

“Sometimes bomb threats are called in for a number of reasons. What we will do, our investigations division will take over from this point and they will look into the number find out who it belongs to and then at that point it’s making a false report and it can either be a misdemeanor and up to a felony,” added Mistreal

Sergeant Mistreal says with the advancement of technology today tracking down offenders has become a little easier.