UPDATE: A 12:50 a.m. shelter-in-place order issued by the Vail Police Department early Friday morning has been confirmed as a hoax. The order, which lasted for approximately an hour and a half, caused alarm among residents as authorities responded to what was initially reported as a credible threat.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Kris Widlak, the town’s director of communications, clarified that the alert was triggered by a “non-credible bomb threat.” The Vail Police Department is currently investigating the matter to gather more details about this alarming incident.
This hoax follows a worrying trend of similar threats in the area. Police Chief Ryan Kenney informed the Vail Town Council in October about the increasing frequency of bomb threats. Just last September, a series of such threats targeted nearby schools, raising concerns about community safety.
To enhance security measures in the face of these threats, Vail has allocated funds in its 2026 budget to introduce a bomb-sniffing dog to the police force. Chief Kenney emphasized the significant time savings a trained canine can offer, stating, “It can take four hours or more for officers to clear a large building like a school. A bomb-sniffing dog can do it in under an hour.”
The urgency for improved security measures is clear, especially as events in Vail continue to grow in size and complexity. Chief Kenney underscored the necessity of having a bomb-sniffing dog, suggesting it would be a vital tool for saving time and resources during future security incidents. “We just continue to have incidents where having a dog that could quickly clear a large area rather than 10 to 15 officers spending hours going through that same area,” Kenney said.
As the investigation into the hoax unfolds, residents and officials alike are left to ponder the implications of such threats on public safety. Authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as they work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all residents in Vail.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Vail Police Department continues its investigation.
