Six Flags America evacuated for non-specific threat

And not the first time this year.

July 13, 2016 http://wjla.com/news/local/bomb-threat-reported-at-six-flags-in-maryland

SF America is not one of my favorite parks. But, this just sucks. I hope they catch the idiot(s) who did this. I can't even imagine the lost revenue for a few incidents like this at what is already a seasonal park.

Lost revenue is one thing but a bad reputation is another, longer lasting effect. This incident sounds like there was nothing visible to customers, well, except for having to leave the park before expected. And word of mouth goes around, then there's the subsequent news items and publicity. Ugh.
I've heard over the years that SFA can be sketchy, but my last visit there was surprisingly pleasant and I had a good time. I will say it was a nice, slow day so there's that. Back in the days of Wild World that location was more remote, I seem to remember it even seemed a little rural, but now the area is decidedly more urban. I stopped at a gas station nearby and I though twice about it. The parking lot was full of loud people who seemed to be just hanging out. And my nearby hotel was full of unexpected security measures, even during the daytime hours.

Well, hopefully it's just another stupid prank and it's done. What the hell is wrong with people who think of doing such a thing?

And now Cedar Point.

Sandusky Register, Man threatens to bomb Cedar Point

I hope this doesn't become a thing.

Add Cincinnati Zoo to the list also, as they evacuated 50 guests on Thursday after a bomb threat came in to them over the phone. Cincinnati's new streetcar service got a similar bomb threat on Saturday, so I'm afraid this has already become a thing. I have to wonder if the same person is doing this.

What's interesting to me is the difference in reaction at Cedar Point. Everywhere but Cedar Point evacuated guests, yet in Sandusky there weren't even metal detecting wands used on us. We passed in and out of the gates several times yesterday as the bomb threat was under investigation and had no idea what was unfolding around the perimeter.

I'm not saying one course of action is better then the other, I just find it interesting. In the article, the Sandusky Police Chief says “We were pretty confident it was a non-credible threat very early on in our investigation”. I would think so. I mean... who goes to the trouble to build and hide several bombs only to thwart his own efforts to cause harm and destruction by calling it in?

This guy.

[IMG]

...an unspecified phone threat...

?

James Whitmore said:

I hope this doesn't become a thing.

Two of our local high schools have had to close over bomb threats in the past couple months. I'm afraid it's already a thing...and NOT a good one. As a society, arming and isolating ourselves is NOT a recipe for safety.

High school was two decades ago and we had bomb threats even then. Usually around days of heavy testing and such. The campus was almost always evacuated to the stadium until law enforcement and their dogs gave the all clear. We never went home to the best of my memory. Stupid then and stupid now, but safety always comes first.

I would assume Cedar Point didn't want to induce panic. I absolutely applaud them for that, because it makes them a less appealing target, as terrorists, you know, want to induce panic.

rollergator said:

Two of our local high schools have had to close over bomb threats in the past couple months. I'm afraid it's already a thing...

Yep. in our neck of the woods, it happened at our high school five times last school year. It was supposedly happening at schools all over the region and even the country to some degree. It seemed to happen in clusters - quite often and quite widespread.

At some point you have to wonder if it's a bunch of completely unrelated random events of people dicking around or something more concerted.

Back in my day we just pulled the fire alarm and ran away. Now stay off my lawn.

Well, now Fire alarms put blue dots on your hands, and it's an immediate expulsion for a false fire alarm, so...

^ I always thought that was just a bit of deterrent fiction.

Yeah, you could just wear gloves and then throw the gloves away. Or just wash your hands. It's a scare tactic to prevent false alarms.

Lord Gonchar said:

rollergator said:

Two of our local high schools have had to close over bomb threats in the past couple months. I'm afraid it's already a thing...

Yep. in our neck of the woods, it happened at our high school five times last school year. It was supposedly happening at schools all over the region and even the country to some degree. It seemed to happen in clusters - quite often and quite widespread.

At some point you have to wonder if it's a bunch of completely unrelated random events of people dicking around or something more concerted.

Same here. There was at least one last year and 2 the year before at our high school. It was "a thing" the year before as a bunch of other schools in the area also had them (all with the same message written in a bathroom). They always happen at the end of the school year. They send them to the football stadium until the police clear the school. They've never found anything, but they can't ignore them.

August Mueller said:
High school was two decades ago and we had bomb threats even then.

I graduated in 1972, so there ya go.

I realize that bomb threats at schools is nothing new. When I said that I hope this don't become a thing, I meant threats against amusements parks in particular.

My old high school just got a pretty good scare with a bomb threat and 4-5 unattended bags placed around the school. They sent the kids home for that one.

Hmmm...Geauga Lake closed for good, and the park chains responsible get bomb threats soon afterwards? I smell disgruntled enthusiast...