UPDATE: Pacific Western Bank on El Camino Real in Atascadero was back open Thursday after Atascadero police received information the day before of a potential threat to banks in town.
While the bank was open, only one customer was allowed inside at a time.
Signs were also posted reminding customers that sunglasses and hats needed to be removed before entering.
ORIGINAL STORY: Atascadero Police received information of a potential threat to banks in town on Wednesday.
The Chief of Police tells KSBY the department made efforts to notify the banks of the threat and requested assistance from additional law enforcement personnel to help because the Atascadero Police Department is a relatively small police agency.
Chief Jerel Haley says he is grateful nothing happened at the end of the day, but that the department was prepared in case something did happen.
He would not release specific information on what the threat was, but he says the department had the adequate resources to respond had it been necessary.
Banks took their own precautionary measures, although police didn’t ask them to do that. Pacific Western Bank on El Camino Real posted a sign in the window saying it had closed due to an “emergency,” and that all banking was directed to the San Luis Obispo office. Bank of America remained open, but had an armed security guard stationed in front. Rabobank also had an officer out front at its location.
Police say there are no ongoing concerns at this time, and there is no threat to the public.
