The Castlegar RCMP says they know bomb threat evacuations can be an inconvenience for the public but police have to follow protocol.
Corporal Debbie Postnikoff is speaking after the hoax at the Castlegar Safeway Thursday.
That forced them to clear out the store and the surrounding businesses in the plaza along Columbia Avenue.
During the incident police became aware that it was likely a hoax after hearing of similar threats at other Safeways in the Kootenays.
But officers checked over the Castlegar store and found no explosives.
The store was re-opened after about two hours.
