Police confirmed that the reported Prince George bomb threat at the courthouse was false after a tense investigation on Friday. The call triggered a large-scale emergency response, with officers evacuating the courthouse, shutting down parts of downtown, and treating the situation as a high-risk event before clearing the area.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper of the RCMP said that officers have now reopened the courthouse and surrounding businesses. She explained that members of the public are being allowed back into the downtown core after several hours of closure. Cooper thanked residents and business owners for cooperating with police instructions and staying out of the area while safety checks were underway.
The initial response began when RCMP received a call reporting a potential explosive device at the Prince George courthouse. Officers immediately evacuated the building and blocked off nearby streets. Multiple roads were closed between Third Avenue and Second Avenue and between George Street and Queensway. Both vehicles and pedestrians were kept away from the scene, and bylaw staff assisted officers in redirecting traffic.
The evacuation created disruption in the downtown area as businesses shut down temporarily and people inside the courthouse were moved outside. Shops and offices near the courthouse also had to suspend their work during the search. Many residents reported confusion and concern as emergency vehicles surrounded the area and police treated the situation as a serious threat.
After a detailed sweep of the courthouse and surrounding blocks, officers determined that there was no bomb. The evacuation order was lifted, and normal movement resumed downtown. Police confirmed that the call had been a false alarm, but stressed that such reports are never taken lightly.
Authorities said the investigation will now focus on tracking down who made the false call. RCMP emphasized that making a fake bomb threat is a criminal offense that carries severe consequences. Beyond fines and potential jail time, officials noted that such incidents waste police resources, disrupt daily life, and cause unnecessary fear in the community.
At the same time as the Prince George incident, the courthouse in Williams Lake also faced a disruption. Police evacuated that building for safety reasons, and operations were temporarily halted. By Friday afternoon, authorities confirmed that the Williams Lake courthouse had returned to normal, but investigators there continue to look into what caused the evacuation. Police have not yet said if the events in Prince George and Williams Lake are connected.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions to the incident. Many praised the quick and professional response from officers, saying that the visible police presence made them feel safe. Others, especially workers and business owners in the downtown core, described frustration at losing several hours of business. While most agreed that public safety must come first, the disruption highlighted how damaging false alarms can be for the community.
Police urged the public to follow instructions immediately during such emergencies. Officers said that evacuations and road closures are vital to ensure safety for both the public and investigators. They also called on anyone with information about the false bomb threat to come forward and assist in identifying the caller.
While the immediate threat in Prince George has been ruled out, police said the incident is a reminder of the importance of staying alert. RCMP investigators will continue their work to determine who was behind the false report and to hold that person accountable. Both courthouses have returned to normal activity, but officers remain cautious as they review the circumstances of the day’s events.
The Prince George bomb threat may have been false, but its impact was real. The evacuation, closures, and disruption to daily routines show how a single call can affect an entire community. Police stressed that they will continue to treat every reported threat with the highest level of seriousness to protect the public and maintain trust.
