Saturday, May 01, 1999
Rumors send cops to schools
Fears keeping some Tristate students home
BY CINDY SCHROEDER and JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Tristate police departments and schools kicked into overdrive this week, responding to dozens of rumors about possi ble violent acts.
In the wake the Colorado school shootings, rumors of potential incidents at Simon Kenton High School kept Independence Police Detective Tony Lucas busy all week.
He said the department and individual officers took about 200 calls Thursday alone from parents and others who offered tips about things they heard were supposed to happen, or had questions about what the police were doing to stop them.
“We've investigated so many things — every call about the school, we take seriously,” he said Friday. “But unfortunately, it's always, "My son heard this,' "My daughter heard it.' Nobody has specifics about who's saying these things.”
Tristate school incidents late this week included:
• A suspicious-looking device in a book bag led to cancellation of classes Friday at Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood. Authorities determined the contraption of canisters and wires was not a bomb, but the scare triggered a response from the Cincinnati Fire Division's bomb squad and a dozen police officers from four agencies.
• About half of the 1,100 students at Conner High School in Boone County stayed home Friday in response to a rumor that someone was going to blow up the school. While Principal Michael Blevins said there never was an actual threat, the rumors prompted him to appear on the school's closed circuit TV twice within the past week to reassure students.
• At Simon Kenton High School, officials sent a letter home with students this week. It urged anyone who hears a rumor or threat to call the school to report it, or to find out the facts. Police investigations this week at the school ended with one boy charged with possession of marijuana after somebody claimed there was a bomb in his gym bag. Officers found pot instead. They also found a student's artwork that depicted him killing police officers. The school is now counseling the boy and his parents.
• After a rumor spread that a bomb would go off Friday at Scott High School in Taylor Mill, Principal Teri Brown called in airport police and their bomb-sniffing dogs to do a sweep of the building on Thursday. Kenton County Police spent the night at the school, and they stayed around during school hours Friday to watch people coming and going.
• Also Thursday night, officers from Boone County Police, the sheriff's office, Florence Police and the airport police and their bomb-sniffing dogs inspected secondary schools in the Boone County and Walton-Verona systems.
• At Milford High School, a threatening message was found late Thursday written in lipstick on a restroom wall. It said students would be harmed Friday. Miami Township police investigated and were on campus Friday; the school day was normal, though Principal Jim Quatman said many students stayed home after word spread about the message.
“It's part of the climate in this country today. There's a battle line — you have to draw that line and determine who is in charge,” Mr. Quatman said.
• Three Milford district students have been suspended recently and sent to Clermont County Juvenile Court for making threats.
• As school let out in Norwood Friday, a 14-year-old student confronted a teacher who had disciplined him earlier. Police were called and searched Norwood high and middle schools for the boy. Rumors of a bomb threat spread through the schools, but no explosives were found, Norwood police said. The 14-year-old has been charged with crimi nal trespass; other charges are pending because the boy was on probation. He is being held in the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center.
• At Madeira Junior Senior High School, a student was suspended April 23 after other students overheard him making threats toward teachers and reported him to a guidance counselor.
Boone County Schools Superintendent Bryan Blavatt, a national leader in school safety issues, said his district is constantly working on ways to improve security.
“I'm very very confident that we're doing everything in our district to make our schools safe, but the one thing we can't get a handle on are the rumors,” Mr. Blavatt said.
Enquirer reporters Christine Wolff and Perry Brothers contributed to this story.
Latest updates on school shootings
from Associated Press
Youths with big hearts provide hope
Rumors send cops to schools
Abortion foes take credit for decline
Emergency-service students aid tornado cleanup
Party planned for tornado volunteers
Cincinnati's Century of Change
Man files civil rights suit against police
Officer charged with drunken driving
Shortened life may have long reach
Fish just keep coming
Mysterious powder empties office
Duke's 'Muir Woods' mesmerizes CSO crowd
'Strings' comes alive when Andrews sings
GET TO IT
American Heritage Girls expanding
Ark. jury begins deliberations in Chevie Kehoe's murder trial
Bauer looks for cause of school shootings
Deerfield requests three more deputies
Florence officers apply for chief
Former Lebanon student denies gun charge
Golf Manor can't open its pool
Local VA hospital found in compliance with standards
NCH schools hoping levy wins this time
No more bumping along Grand Avenue
Pupils re-enact Civil War
Trial will test Ohio sham law
TRISTATE DIGEST
Wreck dumps acid near state park
