Annapolis Jewish Day School Target Of Bomb Threat: Police

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Jewish school in Annapolis was the target of a bomb threat Monday morning, one of 21 similar threats called into 13 Jewish community centers and eight Jewish day schools nationwide. Annapolis Police said the threat, called in at 9:44 a.m. toward Aleph Bet Jewish Day School in the 1100 block of Spa Road, was unfounded.

“There has been an increase in threats to the Jewish community over the recent months,” said acting police chief Major Scott Baker in a statement. “We take these threats seriously and we will work to identify those responsible and toward a successful prosecution.”

Employees at the school told police they received a phone call indicating there was an explosive device placed inside the school. Officers responded and all the children and staff were successfully evacuated from the building.

The Annapolis Fire Department’s Bomb Squad responded; officers and K-9 units checked the building and no explosive device was found. The Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units assisted in the search.

This incident is being investigating by the Annapolis Fire Department’s Fire Marshal’s Office. It is unknown if this incident is related other similar incidents around the country, local officials said.

On Monday, there were 21 bomb threats called in to centers and schools in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia., according to the JCC Association of North America. All the institutions have been declared clear and returned to regular operations. This round of threats brings the total of called in bomb threats over five waves in January and February to 89 incidents at 72 locations (inclusive of JCCs and Jewish day schools) in 30 states and 1 Canadian province.

“Anti-Semitism of this nature should not and must not be allowed to endure in our communities. The Justice Department, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the White House, alongside Congress and local officials, must speak out – and speak out forcefully – against this scourge of anti-Semitism impacting communities across the country," says David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America. “Actions speak louder than words. Members of our community must see swift and concerted action from federal officials to identify and capture the perpetrator or perpetrators who are trying to instill anxiety and fear in our communities.

“We remain grateful to local law enforcement who continue to serve our communities and ensure that our JCCs and schools remain safe and open for business as the vital community institutions they are,” Posner added.