Key Highlights
- Bell Gardens Casino Evacuated After Bomb Threat Call
- Law Enforcement Took Five Hours to Clear the Casino
- No Actual Threat Found Despite Initial Hoax
- Similar Swatting Calls Occurred in Other Parts of LA County
Casino Evacuated After Bomb Threat Call: Five-Hour Police Response in Bell Gardens
Bell Gardens, California – On Thursday, the Park West Bicycle Casino and Hotel was evacuated after receiving a threatening phone call claiming an active bomb threat. The casino, located in the heart of Los Angeles County, quickly became the center of a major security operation as law enforcement responded to the alarming situation.
Initial Response and Community Impact
At around 4 p.m., the casino received a threatening call stating that an individual was demanding $50,000 or threatened to open fire on the casino floor. The caller also mentioned having an associate who could potentially detonate a bomb. In response, hundreds of people were evacuated from both inside and surrounding areas of the building.
Police cars and BearCat tactical vehicles lined up outside the Bell Gardens casino as law enforcement mobilized its resources to ensure public safety. “The individual requested $50K or else this individual was going to open fire on the casino floor,” said Bell Gardens Mayor Miguel De La Rosa, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Law Enforcement’s Due Diligence and Clearing the Threat
Despite the initial alarm, law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation and took five hours to clear the premises. “We still have to go through our due diligence, which is public safety, making sure that there is nothing in there,” said Bell Gardens Police Chief Paul Camacho.
Norman Garcia, one of the evacuees, shared his experience: “All of a sudden you see everyone get up and tell everyone to evacuate. They didn’t tell us why they didn’t where we were going so a lot of confusion at first.” The confusion was palpable as the casino-goers were left in the dark about what exactly was happening.
“They allowed us to go to the cashier, which is kind of weird because that means it wasn’t that urgent, because they let us cash out and get our money,” Garcia added, highlighting a strange aspect of the response.
Similar Threats and Wider Impact
The incident at Bell Gardens was part of a series of swatting calls in Los Angeles County. The tower at LAX also received a similar threat, which turned out to be nothing. Furthermore, Van Nuys Airport faced a swatting call on Wednesday, adding to the growing concern over these false alarms.
“Local Get Los Angeles’s latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, cost of living and more,” read a message from the article, underscoring the ongoing impact of such incidents on the community.
The Bell Gardens Police Department urged the public to stay away from the area until further notice.
Mayor De La Rosa’s statement echoed the urgency: “We still have to go through our due diligence, which is public safety, making sure that there is nothing in there.” The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with false alarms and ensuring community safety.
These swatting incidents not only disrupt normal operations but also strain resources. As law enforcement continues to investigate these threats, the broader implications for public safety and emergency response protocols are under scrutiny.
In conclusion, while the immediate threat at the Bell Gardens casino was cleared within five hours, the event serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of such false alarms and the critical role played by law enforcement in ensuring community safety during these high-stress situations.
