Image: Google Maps / The Abbotsford Police Department received two bomb threats on Monday morning, July 24 from a male caller. The courthouse was evacuated along with two neighbouring businesses. A multifaceted investigation was immediately initiated, with Abby Police Department members responding to the scene and simultaneously investigating the validity along with any further report details. At 11:36 a.m., police deemed the threat non-credible. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Abbotsford courthouse evacuated

Abbotsford Law Courts evacuated after bomb threats

Jul 24, 2023 | 12:49 PM

ABBOTSFORD — On the same morning that the Chilliwack courthouse was evacuated due to a bomb threat, the Abbotsford Police Department received a similar threat.

According to Constable Art Stele, media relations spokesperson for the Abbotsford Police Department, a male caller phoned the Abby PD on Monday morning, July 24 at 9:14 a.m. to report two bombs at the Abbotsford Law Courts building, located at 32375 Veterans Way.

Constable Stele said that the caller did not identify himself or elaborate on the initial threats made to the police.

A multifaceted investigation was immediately initiated, with members responding to the scene and simultaneously investigating the validity along with any further report details.

AbbyPD patrol officers evacuated the Abbotsford Law Courts and two neighbouring businesses, taking every precaution to ensure the public’s safety until the threat is mitigated or proven to be non-credible.

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Veterans Way and sections of Trethewey St. between George Ferguson Way and Simon Ave were closed off as AbbyPD patrol officers, with the assistance of the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS), cleared the building and surrounding area.

At 11:36 A.M., police deemed the threat non-credible after completing their search, resulting in no suspicious findings or observations.

The identity of the caller remains unknown to police currently. Staff and the public were allowed to return to the area to resume business.

The Chilliwack Law Courts building was locked down and its personnel were evacuated Monday morning.

According to a witness at the scene, courthouse personnel were observed standing near RBC on Main Street, away from the courthouse building, shortly after 9:15 a.m. Monday morning.

Chilliwack RCMP investigated some kind of threat, Corporal Carmen Kiener confirmed in a statement Monday morning.

“Police are still investigating this threat and determining whether it is actually the Chilliwack Court office,” Cpl. Kiener said in an email to Fraser Valley Today. “Information received suggests it is in another jurisdiction. Members are securing the Chilliwack Court office out of an abundance of caution at the moment.”

As of 9:15 a.m., police are not letting people near the building this morning, according to a witness near the scene.

As of 10:09 a.m, Chilliwack RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk said that out of an abundance of caution, a search of the Chilliwack Courthouse was conducted by Chilliwack RCMP and Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services. Police did not locate anything suspicious and the Courthouse has once again resumed normal operations.