NEW CASTLE Reactions to bomb threats examined

One man was left in the building still working, unaware of the bomb threat or evacuation.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County officials are looking for ways to improve security at the county government center after it was closed twice in one day by two bomb threats.
Commissioner Roger DeCarbo said commissioners and department heads expect to meet with New Castle police and fire officials sometime next week to work on a plan that will enable them to react more efficiently to threats.
The courthouse was evacuated twice Tuesday, first at just after 10 a.m. and a second time at 2:18 p.m. In both instances, a man had called the courthouse claiming a bomb was inside.
First call: Marcy Imhoff, chief deputy in the county sheriff's office, received the first call. She said a man said: "Listen up. There's a bomb threat on the courthouse."
Imhoff said she called 911 and was instructed to evacuate the building. Everyone left until 1:30 p.m.
Bomb sniffing dogs from Allegheny County Police Department and police officers and firefighters from New Castle searched the building and found nothing.
The second call was made to the county domestic relations office.
New Castle Police Chief Victor Cubellis said authorities don't believe it was the same caller. The person who answered the second call told police the man had a deep, raspy voice.
Cubellis said police traced the origin of the first call and were working on tracing the second call Tuesday afternoon. The police chief said those responsible for the calls could face a number of charges if arrested, including risking or causing a catastrophe.
Handling threats: County officials say they want to develop a more organized way of handling any future threats made at the government complex.
DeCarbo said he helped police initially search the building after it was evacuated and found one man still working on the third floor who had not been told of the bomb threat.
"We need to look over our speaker systems and see what is the best way to proceed if something like this happens again," he said.