News

Subway on the Clarksville campus received prank calls prior to bomb threat

Maisie Williams

January 22, 2021

“The American Democracy Project (ADP) is a network of more than 250 state colleges and universities focused on public higher educations role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. ADP was established in 2003 as a nonpartisan initiative of AASCU in partnership with The New York Times. The goal of the American Democracy Project is to produce college and university graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences they need to be informed, engaged members of their communities. “Since its inception, ADP has organized 15 national and 18 regional meetings; a series of national initiatives; a national assessment project; and hundreds of campus initiatives, including voter education and registration, curriculum revision projects, campus audits, special days of action and reflection, speaker series, and award programs.” (Aascu.org, 2018) American Democracy Project: About Us . (2018). Aascu.org. Retrieved 18 September 2018, from http://www.aascu.org/programs/ADP/

An employee at the APSU Subway received multiple prank calls that were not threats Jan. 21, according to Bill Persinger executive director of public relations and marketing.

“At approximately 4:30 p.m. the employee received another call when the caller stated there was a bomb,” Persinger said.

At this point, the employee contacted campus police and an APSU alert was issued warning the campus community of a bomb threat in the Subway on the Clarksville campus/Catherine Evans Harvill Building, and urging people to please avoid the area.

This alert was sent out through the LiveSafe app as well as text and email around 5 p.m.

LiveSafe is a personal safety mobile app that provides a “quick, convenient, and discreet way to communicate directly with Austin Peay State safety officials,” according to the APSU campus police website. LiveSafe app also provides safety and emergency alerts from campus police.

After campus police issued an alert, the Subway manager cleared everyone from the Catherine Evans Harvill building and the Morgan University Center until police could arrive, according to Persinger.

“APSU Police contacted the Clarksville Police Department (CPD) and established a perimeter. Once CPD officers arrived, CPD and APSU officers checked the building and determined there were no suspicious items in the area,” Persinger said.

An “All Clear” alert was issued at approximately 5:40 p.m.

The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact APSU Police at 931-221-7786 or by email at [email protected].

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