West Hartford Police investigated a bomb threat at Congregation Beth Israel Friday morning.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police said they completed an investigation of Congregation Beth Israel at 701 Farmington Avenue on Friday morning, and determined that a bomb threat received via email was a hoax.

According to Capt. Daniel Moffo, police were contacted at approximately 9:43 a.m. on Oct. 13 by a staff member at Congregation Beth Israel who had received an anonymous email that contained the threat. The email did not specifically name Beth Israel, police said.

According to police, the premises were searched thoroughly and no evidence of explosives was found either inside the building or outside the property.

“The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford Security Director was notified of the incident,” Moffo said in an email. “Information obtained from the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and other partners suggests that multiple similar style hoaxes have been reported statewide.”

Following the launch of an attack by Hamas at Israel on Oct. 7, security at many sites has been heightened and police and other law enforcement officials remain on high alert. Strong security measures were in place in West Hartford on Monday, where the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford hosted a rally in support of the people of Israel.

“The West Hartford Police Department remains in constant contact with our local, state, federal, and private sector partners to assess, and prepare for, any potential threats to the safety of all of our community members,” Moffo said. “As current events unfold, members of the West Hartford Police Department stand ready to protect all of our community members and visitors, including at their places of worship and throughout the Town of West Hartford. We rely greatly on information we receive from the public, so we ask our community members to contact the West Hartford Police Department and report any incident that may pose a threat to public safety.”

Any who has information related to possible threats or any other public safety concerns is urged to contact the West Hartford Police Department at 860-523-5203, or in the event of an emergency should call 911 as soon as possible. Those who wish to contact police anonymously can use the WHPD Tip Line at 860-570-8969 or email [email protected].

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