Thursday's bomb scare at a sanctuary for homeless veterans was the result of a threat by a former resident, according to the facility's founder.

Crews shut down the roads around "Paul's House," better known as VALOR Clinic, located on Route 534 in Polk Township, Monroe County.Police have not commented on the incident. But the sanctuary's founder, Mark Baylis, said that he believes the incident was a threat directed at him by a former resident, and that there was no danger to the public.Baylis said he believes the threat was made by a former resident who had been harassing people since he was removed about two weeks ago for violating their no-tolerance policy on alcohol."We asked somebody to leave a couple weeks ago, for drinking. We have a very strict policy. You can't drink or do drugs here," he said, noting that they have a no-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs to ensure veterans are focused on their recovery while at the clinic."Last night, he tried to scare us, and left something that created the illusion of a bomb."Baylis said that he got text messages from people at "Paul's House" early Thursday, showing what appeared to be an old military shell that had been left on the property.As a result, he called 911 around 9:30 a.m., which prompted crews to shut down the roads surrounding the intersection of Route 534 and Jonas Road for about three hours.They tried to get a Protection from Abuse Order for the man, but Baylis was told the odds weren't good, because they weren't related.The state police warned the man to stay away, Baylis said, but it only had a temporary effect.Baylis said this case represents the rare exception of the homeless veterans that the clinic has helped, and that the it is a safe place supported volunteers, including retirees.While they occasionally have to remove someone for using alcohol, the clinic has helped about 50 veterans get back on their feet since it started in 2014. Prior to the relapse, the veteran, he said, was a great example for what they seek to do for veterans."We got him off the church steps Easter morning. He was focusin. He had a job. He was saving his money. He paid his fines, got his driver's license," Baylis said. "And the night he gets the car, he decides to celebrate, and as soon as the alcohol touches his lips, he's been nothing but trouble ever since."