INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - The Jewish Community Center in Indianapolis temporarily closed Monday morning because of a bomb threat.
The JCC confirmed someone with a muffled voice called in at 10:17 a.m. saying they had a bomb in the building. JCC leaders decided on their own to evacuate 165 children, 25 teachers and 10 staffers, then called IMPD to notify them of the threat.
"The safety and security of our members and visitors is our top priority. We have practiced how to react quickly and appropriately to any emergency," CEO Ira Jaffee said in a statement.
The JCC has a security officer on campus, who also happens to be a K9 officer. That officer took his bomb-sniffing dog and did a sweep of the entire campus but found nothing.
The building was re-opened just before 11:30 a.m. No one was hurt.
"Our JCC is strongly rooted in the local community and plays a vital role as a fitness center, school and gathering place," Jaffee said. "Local JCCs serve not just the Jewish community, but the entire community. Participants from all different backgrounds come to their local JCCs for activities and opportunities to come together as a community. While we are relieved that all such threats have proven to be hoaxes and that not a single person was harmed, we are concerned about the anti-Semitism behind these threats, and the repetition of threats intended to interfere with day-to-day life."
"I am appalled to hear of this morning's threat against the Jewish Community Center, a place that provides invaluable resources and support for our city's children, families, and seniors," Mayor Joe Hogsett said in a statement. "While I am thankful that no one was injured, I stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to disavow and condemn these threats of violence. Like so many in our community, I am dismayed by the acts of anti-Semitism we are seeing across the county and know that we must join together, as one people, to reject bigotry and prejudice. Hate will not be tolerated in Indianapolis and today, I ask that people of all faiths and backgrounds work together in affirming our city's commitment to being a welcoming, safe place for all."
Monday morning’s threat was one in a series of bomb threats received by Jewish Community Centers across the country. As of this writing, all bomb threats have proven to be hoaxes and all JCCs have quickly returned to regular operations.
Late Monday afternoon, the FBI in Indianapolis confirmed they are investigating the threat.
"The FBI and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are investigating possible civil rights violations in connection with threats to Jewish Community Centers across the country. The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence, and will ensure this matter is investigated in a fair, thorough, and impartial manner. As this is matter is ongoing, we are not able to comment further at this time."
