Agriculture Department Closes Offices in 5 States, Including Connecticut, After Threats

The Agriculture Department has closed offices in five states, including in Hamden Connecticut, after receiving anonymous threats.

USDA spokesman Matthew Herrick said in a statement on Tuesday that the department had received "several anonymous messages" that raised concerns about the safety of USDA personnel and facilities.

He said six offices are closed until further notice as a precaution. The closed offices are in Fort Collins, Colorado; Hamden, Connecticut; Beltsville, Maryland; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Kearneysville and Leetown, West Virginia.

Herrick said the department is working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and federal and local law enforcement to determine whether the threats are credible.

Hamden Police said they were called about the threat at 3:30 p.m. and all information provided was given to the FBI. The police department said it is conducting deterrent patrols in the area.

Staff members have been notified and will not report to the affected offices until further notice, according to a statement from Herrick.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agricultural Research Service, Food Safety Inspection Service, Forest Service, National Agricultural Library, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Office of the Inspector General and USDA Departmental Management are affected.