Bomb Threats to Springfield Schools Originate Mostly from Foreign Countries
Investigation Underway to Identify Source
In reaction to a wave of bomb threats, Ohio sent state police to Springfield schools. Officials claimed that most of the threats originated abroad after former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, spread false information claiming that legal Haitian immigrants living in the small city were consuming dogs and cats.
Thirty-Plus False Threats Made, Schools Evacuated
Over thirty false threats were made against Springfield’s schools, government offices, and elected leaders’ houses, resulting in evacuations and closures. It was necessary to evacuate two additional schools. Republican governor Mike DeWine stated that a foreign actor bore most of the blame, but he would not identify the nation.
Foreign Actors Responsible
DeWine’s spokeswoman, Dan Tierney, stated that the vast majority of the bomb threats came from foreign countries. He claimed that information about the source of the bomb threats was obtained through a criminal investigation conducted by many law enforcement organizations. However, he declined to provide any details on how the investigators got to the conclusion that they were from a foreign nation, citing concerns that doing so may incite more threats.
Safety Measures in Place
“These are largely foreign actors, not folks in the community or another part of the United States,” Tierney noted. “We think it’s useful in part because it shows that it’s, you know, false, that it’s safe to send your kids to school. And we’re providing extra patrol support to make sure people feel safe at school.”
DeWine declared that he would be deploying several Ohio State Highway Patrol officers to assist in maintaining school closures. According to district spokeswoman Jenna Leinasars, there are now two highway patrol officers stationed at each of the 18 schools in the Springfield City School District.
Troopers’ Responsibilities
“The troopers will conduct sweeps of the buildings for threats prior to school and sweep again, after school has ended. In between these sweeps, the troopers will be stationed at the building for the entire day,” she stated.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies to identify and respond to potential threats. The deployment of Ohio State Highway Patrol officers to the affected schools serves as a deterrent and reassurance to students, teachers, and parents.
FAQs
* Were the bomb threats credible? No, they were determined to be false.
* Who is responsible for the bomb threats? Foreign actors, according to officials.
* How did investigators identify the source of the bomb threats? Details have not been released to avoid potentially inciting more threats.
* What measures are in place to ensure school safety? Ohio State Highway Patrol officers are stationed at each of the 18 affected schools to conduct sweeps and provide extra patrol support.