SMITHFIELD, Va. — All three campuses of Paul D. Camp Community College were initially closed Monday, as police investigated a bomb threat.
Just before 8:30 a.m., emergency dispatchers in the City of Franklin got a call from the college on North College Street, reporting a bomb threat, according to Deputy Chief Robert Porti with the city's police department.
At 9:12 a.m., the Suffolk's emergency dispatcher notified the city's Fire Marshal that the college's Suffolk location in the 200 Block of Kenyon Road also needed to be investigated for explosives.
A social media post around 9:30 a.m. by college administrators said, "We have an emergency situation on all campuses Monday, Sept. 16. Staff and students are not to come on any campus until further notice."
Police, fire, and emergency services crews responded to the campuses and helped evacuate buildings.
"We take any threat like this seriously and it probably tied up 20 or more people for an hour and a half," said Captain Tim Dunn, with Franklin Fire and Rescue. "We've prosecuted people in the past for making these same types of threats."
Suffolk Fire Marshal 3 and 4, with Suffolk Fire’s explosive detection canine Vega, went to the Franklin Campus to assist Franklin Fire, Police, and the Paul D. Camp’s staff with sweeping the Franklin Campus. Meanwhile, Suffolk Fire Marshal 5, 6, and 7, with Car 10, Battalion 1, Engine 4, and Safety 1 investigated the Kenyon Road campus location.
All Paul D. Camp Community College facilities were deemed clear at approximately 10:58 a.m., Deputy Chief Porti said.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue's Fire Chief said their investigation determined nothing was credible at the Suffolk location, but they said they could not comment on the response or situation at the Franklin Campus.
However, law enforcement is still investigating the threat and asks anyone with information to call Franklin Police at 757-562- 8575, Franklin Crime Solvers at 757-516-7100, or contact police online at p3tips.com.
Virginia State Police, Southampton County Sheriff’s Office, Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Suffolk Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office all helped the City of Franklin Police Department in responding to the threat.