SUNBURY, Pa. — Friday night saw many homes on and surrounding Arch Street in Sunbury vacant as residents were told to get out after police say a bomb threat was reported at a neighborhood synagogue.
"We were dispatched a little bit after 4:30 p.m. to the Beth El Congregation here in the 200 block of Arch Street for a reported bomb threat," said Acting Police Chief Travis Bremigen, City of Sunbury Police Department.
Acting Sunbury Police Chief Travis Bremigen says the threat was sent by email to the congregation's rabbi, who quickly turned the information over to police.
"We took immediate action of evacuation of several blocks in and around the area of where the threat was. Outside agencies were dispatched along with the Pennsylvania State Police, Sunbury Fire Department, and the EMA," said Bremigen.
Bremigen says the area remained closed off for roughly three hours as a K-9 unit was called in, clearing both the outside and inside of the building.
Once the area was safe, Bremigen says people were free to return to their homes, "The evacuation was flawless, really appreciate the public cooperating."
With many people back in their homes, police say the threat is still under investigation by local and state police.
Chief Bremigen also says his department plans to notify the FBI.
Rabbi Nina Mandel of Congregation Beth El released a statement after the threat Friday night, saying in part, "This was a scary and unsettling experience but we should be grateful that we are surrounded by first responders who take their responsibilities so seriously. Shabbat has been, for millennia, the observance of a weekly period of rest and rejuvenation; gratitude and reflection. To have it disturbed by threats of violence, or in some places actual violence, feels especially devastating."
Rabbi Mandel also thanked police and first responders for their efforts.
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