From our news partner WBTA:
A bomb threat was e-mailed this morning to Independent Living of Genesee Region, according to Rae Frank, director of the Batavia location at 113 Main St. downtown.
It is not clear, Frank said, whether the threat was intended for the Buffalo office or the Batavia office, or both, but as a precaution staff was told within the past hour to leave for the day and Batavia PD was alerted.
The person who made the threat allegedly has a history of complaints with the nonprofit agency.
Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR) is a multicultural, grassroots, peer-directed, civil rights organization that provides a full range of assistance, programs and services to enhance the quality of life for all individuals with disabilities. "ILGR assists persons with disabilities to realize their life choices through information and referral, independent living skills, community and systems advocacy and peer counseling."
It provides: adaptive aids/equipment, advocacy, benefits advisement, counseling/support groups, health insurance information, information & referral, library of disabilities, independent living skills instruction, community disability education.
UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: David Boyce, CEO of the building's owner Tompkins Insurance Co., said the agency's staff on the second floor was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. He said police indicated they do not believe there is an imminent threat.
UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: The "indirect threat" was made by an employee recently let go from the Buffalo office of Independent Living and the person has no known ties to Genesee County, said Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis. "We've checked the (Batavia) building and we've found nothing," Davis said. Adjacent businesses were notified of the situation and any decision to evacuate staff was their option. A bomb-sniffing dog from State Police Troop A is en route to go through the building and if nothing is found, officers will give the all clear.
UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: State Police and their bombing-sniffing dog just completed a sweep of the building and found nothing. The building is clear and police are clearing the scene.
