SC Staff Report
The Sanibel Police Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated a bomb threat Thursday, Dec. 28 at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way, where Bat Yam Temple of the Islands holds services. A member of the local synagogue had received the threat by email. Police deemed it to be not credible after a thorough sweep of the property.
“The Sanibel Police Department and our partner law enforcement agencies take these threats very seriously,” said SPD Deputy Chief Anthony Thompson. “The threat was deemed a hoax and the scene has been cleared by the Sanibel Police Department.”
“I’m thankful for the quick response by the Sanibel Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to secure and clear the church and synagogue grounds,” Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson said in a statement. “It is unfortunate that this threat against Sanibel’s Jewish community took place, and I am grateful everyone is safe.”
If I was a member of the Synagogue and received a bomb threat targeting the Synagogue, I wouldn’t want to be told it was just a hoax and not credible. This strikes me as a very serious matter and the sender of the email should be dealt with under the law.