How anonymous threats can divert law enforcement away from life saving responses

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

The Fort Myers Police Department rushed to the Walmart at Colonial Boulevard and Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers Monday night after receiving an anonymous bomb threat.

This prompted officers to force an evacuation, rushing employees and shoppers out of the building. Anonymous threats like this take away many resources for law enforcement.

Fort Myers Police Captain Walter Mitchell says a bomb threat like the one at the Walmart along Colonial Boulevard Monday night requires a full response. People had to be evacuated. Lee County deputies assisted and brought in a bomb tech to make sure everything was safe.

Police say that takes away from actual emergencies elsewhere, which can delay life-saving responses.

"That's going to put the city's normal operations on the back burners. That could take EMS away, cause they could be going to where people are actually hurt. That could take fire away from calls where they have to respond to fires," said Mitchell.

Fort Myers attorney Michael Hornung says those who make anonymous threats often don't realize how much manpower and money go into responding.

Under Florida law, he explains, those who make false or anonymous threats intended to mislead law enforcement can be held financially liable to cover the response.

"Same thing if you're involved in a DUI and you cause car damage to someone, you would be liable for their property damage because you're at fault," said Hornung.

Fort Myers police are still investigating the bomb threat at the Walmart. They say no one is in custody.

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