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Mackinac Bridge bomb threat was called in from Mackinaw City, state police say

Police say a bomb threat on the Mackinac Bridge was called into Chippewa County Central Dispatch -- the region's 911 call center -- on Sunday afternoon.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Police say a bomb threat on the Mackinac Bridge was called into Chippewa County Central Dispatch -- the region's 911 call center -- on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan State Police said Monday that their role in the initial investigation of Sunday’s bomb threat on the Mackinac Bridge is complete.

Mark Giannunzio, the public information officer for the state police in the Upper Peninsula, said local police were taking the lead in the investigation of the threat that snarled traffic for hours Sunday afternoon and evening.

“The call, it sounds like, originated from somewhere in Mackinaw City, so Mackinaw City Police Department is the lead agency in it,” he said. “They’re handling the investigation. Our part, as of now, is complete.”

According to the Mackinaw City police’s website, the department has a full-time staff of six officers. Giannunzio said state police are still ready to help if they’re needed.

“We do have a lot of small towns and small police departments in the state,” he said. “We are prepared to offer them assistance at any time.”

Mackinaw City officers referred questions about the investigation to the city’s police chief, who did not respond to phone calls or voicemails.

Giannunzio, the state police spokesperson, says to his knowledge no one is yet in custody in connection with the bomb threat.

State police will review their security policies for the bridge, said Giannunzio, but he added that the span is already heavily patrolled, and he’s not sure whether the police have many additional options for securing it.

“I don’t know how many times our troopers are sent onto the bridge just to patrol it -- just to be out there as a presence -- but, in the end, I don’t know what more you can do without, you know, staging a trooper every 10 feet on the bridge.”

Brett joined Michigan Public in December 2021 as an editor.