Rockland Community College bomb threat deemed a hoax

SUFFERN – A bomb threat was emailed to Rockland Community College on Thursday, but was deemed a hoax after a police search found no threat on campus.

The college received the email at 9:06 a.m. which detailed that a bomb would explode on campus that day. School officials notified police and evacuated the campus before a search for the bomb went forward.

Authorities from the Rockland bomb unit were called in and searched the school with bomb-sniffing dogs borrowed from Westchester County police, but no explosives were found. The search was completed by 12:10 p.m. and the campus was re-opened at 5 p.m. for evening classes.

Sheriff’s Office Chief William Barbera stated the email was likely sent under a false name. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

Along with the Sheriff’s bomb squad, officers from the Sheriff’s Marine Unit and Mounted Patrol, Ramapo Police, campus security and Tallman Fire Department volunteers also assisted with the response.