A written bomb threat, an 800-yard evacuation, and back to normal by noon

What happened

At about 9:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Hudson Police and the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office responded to Faith Community Church in Hudson, Wisconsin, after the church received a written bomb threat. Shortly after 10 a.m., the sheriff’s office told anyone within 800 yards of the church to leave while officers searched the building.

The church posted on social media that it had received a threat and that law enforcement had asked everyone to evacuate. About two and a half hours later, the sheriff’s office said a suspect was in custody. Soon after, the church announced there was no threat to the building and that all programs would go on as scheduled. No device was found.

Bomb threats against churches were reported across the country in 2026, including in New Jersey, Florida, New Mexico and Missouri. Most turned out to be hoaxes, but each one had to be treated as real until the building was cleared.

What safety teams can take from it

• Have a written threat procedure before you need it. Who calls 911, who decides to evacuate, where people go, and who talks to the public. Faith Community Church posted clear updates quickly, which reduces panic and rumors.
• Keep the threat itself. Don’t throw away or handle more than you must a written note, envelope, voicemail or email. It’s evidence. Write down when and how it arrived and who touched it.
• Plan for weekday evacuations. Preschools, offices and weekday ministries mean children and staff may be in the building during the week. Make sure weekday staff know the plan as well as your Sunday team does.
• Choose rally points far enough away. 800 yards is a long way. Pick at least two off-site locations, such as a neighboring business or school, and arrange their use in advance.
• Don’t use radios or phones near a suspected device. Follow local bomb squad guidance on electronics, and don’t let volunteers search for the device themselves.