The note said, “America is the worst country in the world. I hate America much. November 30, 2010, 18:00.”
WESTFIELD – A hand-written note in Arabic was not the cause for alarm at Westfield State University Tuesday.
But, the fact that the note, when translated, contained a specific date and time did put the campus community on alert, said WSU spokeswoman Molly C. Watson.
Activity on campus was back to normal Wednesday after campus security and state police concluded that the note found in the dining commons Monday afternoon was of no threat.
“We followed protocol,” said Watson. “The note was translated and state police were called. They have concluded the note was apparently an expression of free speech,” she said.
State police spokesman David A. Procopio agreed Wednesday.
The note stated, “America is the worst country in the world. I hate America much. November 30, 2010, 18:00.”
“Upon passing of 6 p.m., it was a relief,” said Procopio. “But there was enough suspicion raised by the mention of a date and time. We have not identified the author but consider this, right now, as an expression of free speech,” he said.
Westfield police assisted in patrols on campus during a Tuesday night football game, said Capt. Hipolito Nunez.
No state or local police were on campus because of the incident Wednesday, Procopio and Nunez said.
Watson said classes and other activities were held as scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.
The note was found on a table in the dining commons at about 2 p.m. Monday, Watson said. “Our concerns were not that the note was written in Arabic, but that it contained a date and time and was found in a public location.”
As a result of that concern, college officials activated the campus Emergency Response Team and assigned extra campus police to the alert.