The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirms it was phoned in bomb threats, combined with the discovery of two unattended bags, that set off Thursday’s security alert at the Greater Rochester International Airport.
Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn told reporters that his deputies closed the Airport because of a combination of threats made to the airport….and the discovery of two unattended bags, one inside and one outside the airport terminal. The Bomb Squad was called in to investigate, and used a robot and a portable x-ray device to determine they weren’t dangerous. Meanwhile, deputies used dogs to check the terminal, as documented by passengers who sent video to social media.
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says she’s thanking the public safety officers involved…and the passengers who were either held at the arrival gates or waved off and told to park at nearby lots until the alert was lifted.
Airport Director Michael Giardino says flight operations kept up, even though the terminal was shut down. Passengers who had already passed through security were allowed to board their planes. But Homeland Security shut down the security checkpoint while the airport was searched, which meant no new passengers could enter.
All roads in and out of the airport were blocked off, and people trying to get there were directed to off site parking lots until the alert was lifted.