Fake Bomb Threats Soaring in Atlanta

The number of fake bomb threats has soared over the past year in Atlanta, which also has been hit by four real bomb blasts that included the deadly Centennial Olympic Park attack. During January 1996, police recorded 17 phony bomb threats, followed by 11 in February. This year, there were 53 in January and 59 in February, police said. “It’s a continuing trend, and it’s not likely to go away real quickly,” police spokesman John Quigley said. He said the callers are pranksters, extremists or people with a grudge out to create fright or havoc.