Sept. 7, 2005 — A bomb threat called in to the Legislature on St. Thomas Wednesday disrupted senators from taking action on controversial amendments to the Job Creation Act of 2005.
The threat, called in around 11:30 a.m., came right before a vote was to be taken on the amendments. The entire Legislature building was evacuated until police could come and investigate. As evacuees spent an hour waiting in Emancipation Garden, officers also evacuated Vendor's Plaza and closed off the road leading to and in front of the Legislature.
Senators discussing the incident during the evacuation told members of the media that rumors were circulating as to the political nature of the threat. "There are people saying the threat was called in so that we won't take a vote on these amendments," Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone said.
While bomb threats have recently escalated around the territory, Sen. Lorraine L. Berry said this is the first one called into the Legislature this year. "The caller said that the bomb was in the [Earle B. Ottley Legislative] Chambers," Berry said once the session reconvened. "I hope they see how wrong this is. The public should know that anyone caught doing such a thing will be severely punished by law."
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