• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
  • RSS

Washington Monument Evacuated After Bomb Threat

The Washington Monument was evacuated about an hour ago after a low credibility bomb threat.

Washington Monument Evacuated
(AP)

The Washington Monument was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat was called in to local police. U.S. Park Police Sgt. Scott Fear said the call came in at 2:24 p.m. EDT and the monument was evacuated a short time later. Bomb-sniffing dogs were called in and two blocks between Constitution and Independence avenues were closed off. An initial search turned up nothing worrisome.

A law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because other agencies were handling the case, said the credibility of the threat was low but officials did not want to take any chances.

The Washington Monument, which was built in the 1800s and dedicated on Feb. 21, 1885, rises 555 feet over the National Mall. It reopened to the public last spring after undergoing a seven-month, $15 million security overhaul that included vehicle barriers and a new lighting system.

One certainly can’t blame the Park Police but we’ve gotten to the point where idiots can shut down cities with a mere phone call.

Related Posts

  • None Found

About James Joyner
James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

  1. NIF says:

    Were-Rabbit Follies

    Helpful or Unhelpful: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  2. D.C. Police Evacuate Washington Monument

    The Washington Monument was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat was called in to local police.

    Helpful or Unhelpful: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  3. Scott in CA says:

    I can’t imagine Jihadis making a warning call. Why? Their intent is to terrorize and kill. Perhaps we should just ignore these prank calls. On the other hand, I can hear the call of the wild Trial Lawyer in the woods now….

    Helpful or Unhelpful: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  4. Ugh says:

    That and dangerous soda cans.

    Helpful or Unhelpful: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0