Pa. warns about seriousness of making bomb threats

HARRISBURG -- Making a bomb threat or otherwise causing the evacuation of a building is a serious crime, carrying stiff penalties, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher and State Police Commander Paul J. Evanko.
"Since the events of Sept. 11, we've seen a sharp increase in the number of bomb scares being reported to authorities nationwide," Evanko said. "Each incident must be taken seriously and each response taxes the resources of law enforcement, bomb disposal units, fire and medical response organizations and emergency management agencies."
Fisher and Evanko said that under Pennsylvania law, a person making a bomb threat can be charged with both terroristic threats and bomb threats, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Courts may also order the defendant to pay restitution to cover the costs incurred by affected school districts and emergency response agencies. Anyone with information about people who make bomb threats should immediately contact their local police.