Recently the FBI stated that the threats against the university began on February 13, 2012 with the first appearing on the walls of some of the school's buildings and then through the mail. Since then, dozens of bomb threats have been received. The threats have been escalated with four being received by mid-afternoon on Monday, April 9, 2012.
The administration at the university has been posting regular updates for students, faculty and parents on its Web site. They are also offering a $50,000 reward for information relating to the threats.
Investigations are being conducted jointly by Federal, state, local law enforcement along with the University police, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service. Although a person of interest has been identified and some threats have been traced to or through computers in Austria, at this time no on has been charged.
In an effort to protect students and faculty, the university's administration has begun limiting access to some buildings until the facilities are swept by law enforcement. Non-Pittsburgh students are no longer permitted inside residence halls and all faculty and students are now required to present a valid university identification card to enter buildings.
All buildings with a single entrances will now have two check points set up at each entrance, one designated for those carrying backpacks, book bags and packages and one designated for those without. Because the stricter security measures may result in long wait times to enter buildings, students are being encouraged to carry only items which are necessary for studying.
According to David Hickton, a U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, “The safety and welfare of the University of Pittsburgh community is a top priority” with the bomb threats being “vigorously, aggressively, and thoroughly investigated through all possible means.”
Although Mr. Hickton wouldn't comment on the specifics of the investigation, he added that “the Joint Terrorism Task Force is actively pursuing the source or sources of the threats”
"While the disruption and fear engendered by such threats in unconscionable, we commend the resilience of the University community. The University of Pittsburgh is exercising appropriate regard for safety, through its notification system and through evacuations when threats are received and evaluated, while refusing to allow such threats to paralyze the entire University community in its pursuit of learning and teaching.” said Hickton.
