Jewish Community Center Closed; Precautionary Evacuation After Phoned In Threat

The Jewish Community Center is currently closed and engaged in precautionary evacuation procedures, according to a tweet from JCC.

The center is located at 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd in Whitefish Bay.

 "They received a bomb threat over the phone this morning, about ten in the morning," explained Sgt. Patrick Whitaker of the Whitefish Bay Police Department. "The building was calmly evacuated. Currently, it's being cleared by bomb dogs and pretty much we will take it from there."

According to CNN, 48 JCCs in 26 states and one Canadian province received nearly 60 bomb threats during January.

CNN did a report last week that stated most were made in rapid succession on three days: January 9, 18 and 31.

In a statement to CNN, the FBI said the bureau and the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division are "investigating possible civil rights violations in connections with threats to Jewish Community Centers across the country."

Several JCC sources said to CNN the FBI has told them it is investigating the calls as hate crimes. 

The United Kingdom also reported a number of unfounded threats on Jewish schools, also in January.

A search of the property was still underway as on noon Monday.

By 1 p.m. the all clear was given.

No explosive was found.