FALSE ALARM
Ja seeks FBI’s help to collar perpetrator behind bomb threats; cops detain one person
Published:Saturday | November 11, 2023 | 12:11 AMKimone Francis/Senior Staff Reporter
One person has been taken into custody after dozens of bomb threats to more than 70 institutions, mainly schools, between Thursday and Friday caused chaos and heightened fears and anxiety across the island. The police have determined that none was credible.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey told The Gleaner on Friday that the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been asked to assist with investigations, but said that the threats, so far, have amounted to nothing but a hoax.
At least 14 threats were made on Thursday, Bailey confirmed, warning that the police would ensure that every penalty applicable would be brought against the perpetrator.
Police ‘on top of it’
Late yesterday evening, Bailey revealed that a person, whose identity was not disclosed, had been taken into custody in relation to the threats made on Friday as the multi-agency investigations being aided by international law enforcement partners intensified.
“We’re convinced that it’s a hoax – somebody just trying to be mischievous. The police are on top of it. We’re doing our investigations and whoever is responsible will ultimately be brought to justice,” Bailey asserted.
“We are in touch with the FBI, soliciting their support in certain aspects of the investigation,” he added.
On Friday, Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President Leighton Johnson said the threats have revealed the vulnerability of schools, which, he said, are without a bomb or mass-shooting protocol.
A hospital and a court building were among the institutions targeted on Friday. All other institutions were educational.
“This has produced a heightened level of anxiety within our schools,” said Johnson.
The JTA president said that the Safety and Security Unit within the Ministry of Education must now draft protocols on how to respond to bomb and similar security threats, pointing to other jurisdictions, including the United States and parts of Europe, where he said they exist.
“Teachers and students indicated that situations were chaotic simply because persons were not aware of how to operate.
“Criminals have stepped up their game, whether hoax or not, whether it is in an attempt to cause chaos, distract and disrupt the system for a couple of days. Whatever the situation is, everybody needs to know how to act going forward … . The time is now,” Johnson urged.
“We’re in a global space. It is only a matter of time before what impacts other nations impacts us, as unfortunate as it sounds,” the JTA president said, adding, “it is time that we arm ourselves.”
Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, head of the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team, has urged schools to engage their information technology units to ensure that their systems have not been compromised.
He said a compromise may not have been established at the compounds, but possibly through a third party.
“This may allow for the hijacking of email addresses. When we listened to the news, one of the principals said that the email was not sent to their school but it ended up there, which suggests that there may be a compromise further up the chain with the email,” he said, noting that this was a theory.
A statement from the Ministry of National Security said the bomb threats have caused a “significant strain” on law enforcement resources, which are already in high demand.
“Those found engaging in such activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the statement said.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant. Do not succumb to panic. It is imperative that any suspicious activity be reported immediately to the police.”