'Domestic Terrorism' Threat Made To Block Island Power: Police

NEW SHOREHAM, RI — Block Island's power grid is under extra surveillance after police received a "credible threat" to the island's power transformers. The department is taking the threat seriously, Chief Vin Carlone, calling it a threat of domestic terrorism.

The department was contact Wednesday by a concerned citizen who said they heard that several island residents were planning to damage the Block Island Power Company transformers to shut off electricity and therefore discourage people from visiting the island.

Effective immediately, the transformers will have extra security on site, the department said, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Division of Homeland Security and Rhode Island State Police have been notified for further investigation.

"Just making a statement such as this is a serious federal criminal offense punishable by a lengthy jail sentence. It is threatening domestic terrorism," Chief Carlone said.