Bomb Threats Alarm Community

A number of bomb threats and suspicious packages around campus kept police officers busy and tensions running high this weekend.

Several bomb threats, in addition to general security concerns, forced the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) to maintain a heightened state of vigilance this weekend with extra officers on duty and extra postings to protect specific buildings.

A bomb threat forced the evacuation of Holyoke Center on Friday morning, and later in the day a threat at Harvard Medical School forced the evacuation of several buildings. Yesterday afternoon, police responded to unspecified threats at Maxwell Dworkin and at HUPD headquarters at 29 Garden St. In addition, HUPD responded to numerous reports of suspicious packages this weekend as University affiliates exercised caution in the wake of last week’s events.

“We have to take each threat seriously,” said HUPD Sergeant Wilmon Chipman.

The threats, normally considered a nuisance, have taken on a more urgent nature since last Tuesday’s attacks.

One man outside of Longy School of Music yesterday sighed when an HUPD officer asked him to cross to the other side of the street during the 29 Garden St. incident.

“I guess we have to get used to this now,” he said.

The State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service has also informed HUPD and other Boston-area police departments that the Israeli Embassy has requested special precautions throughout the Jewish high holidays this week. HUPD officials refused to comment on any specific measures that the department has implemented in response to the Israeli request.

HUPD Chief Francis D. “Bud” Riley sent out a letter on Friday to University offices warning staff of suspicious packages in the wake of the Holyoke threat.

“[HUPD] would like to remind the members of the community to be aware and vigilant about any suspicious activity, whether it be persons, packages or communications,” Riley wrote.

HUPD’s flyers, prepared in conjunction with the FBI and the U.S. postal service inspectors, recommend staff watch out for packages that appear out-of-place, or carry restricted endorsements like “personal,” “private” or “to be opened by addressee only.” Packages with protruding wires, uneven weight packages or return addresses that differ from the postmark city should also be handled with care.

—Staff writer Garrett M. Graff can be reached at ggraff@fas.harvard.edu.