Community on high alert after bomb threat made at Providence synagogue
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Members of Temple Beth El and nearby residents are on edge after a bomb threat was made at the Providence synagogue.
"It makes me very nervous. This is my neighborhood, and these are my people," said Leslie Mignault, who lives nearby and frequently goes to Temple Beth El with her husband.
The Temple received the threat via voicemail Tuesday and Providence Police made an arrest Wednesday.
Vincent Johnson, 65, of Pawtucket was arrested and charged with bomb threat, false reporting, and disorderly conduct.
"I'd like to know more about this person, I'd like to know what motivated this person to do that," said Mignault.
Massachusetts State Representative and member of Temple Beth El, Steven Howitt, talked with NBC 10 over the phone.
"Given what's going on in the world, it's not surprising," he said.
Howitt said these threats should not be taken lightly.
"With our open boarders right now, we don't know who is coming across there could be cells of actual terrorists," he said. "We really don’t know who is here so you have to take any threat as serious as it is."
Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez told NBC 10's Reporter Molly Levine that the department has a good relationship and are in constant communication with the Jewish Alliance.
