Updated: Yet another bomb threat — this time at a mental health and substance use treatment center on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard — saw a building evacuated, people displaced, and streets closed to traffic as police investigated whether or not the danger was real.
At 7:22 p.m., the city police department announced that that area was clear, all roads were back open, and “it is safe to return to the area” as the Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.
That was the scene Tuesday afternoon at the Retreat Behavioral Health Facility at 915 Ella T. Grasso Blvd.
New Haven Police spokesperson Officer Scott Shumway sent out an email press release at 4:59 p.m. stating that, at around 3:40 p.m., city police received a call regarding a bomb threat at 915 Ella T. Grasso Blvd.
“Responding officers evacuated the building and set up a perimeter,” Shumway wrote. “The Hazardous Device Team is on-scene and investigating. The New Haven Police ask the public to avoid Ella T. Grasso Boulevard as it is currently closed between Legion Avenue and Columbus Boulevard.”
City Emergency Operations Director Rick Fontana told the Independent that 57 patients and 27 staff were bused from Retreat Behavioral Health to Career High School as city police swept the building in search of a bomb.
“The staff was very prepared and did a nice job,” Fontana said.
At around 5:50, he said that police had finished sweeping the building and had given the “all clear.”
“I think we’re in good shape,” he said.
The bomb threat comes four days after another bomb threat at Yale University emptied 10 campus buildings and saw city and university police close off several blocks downtown for hours.
“Unfortunately, these are becoming too common,” Fontana said. He said they take a toll on city resources and on those displaced from buildings that are targeted.
Where's the police state they claim knows every call and can trace it????