Friday, December 17, 1999
Flurry of threats plague Tristate schools
Officials vow to take each one seriously
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Like flames spreading through dry brush, a rash of threats is sweeping schools in Greater Cincinnati and across Ohio.
Administrators and police say most, if not all, were hoaxes called in or written by students hoping for a day away from classes and final exams.
But much as their tempers may flare and frustrations build, authorities at West Clermont and Sycamore school districts say they must take the threats seriously.
Classes were canceled todayfor 2,400 students at Amelia middle and high schools, as well as at Colerain Middle and Elementary schools after threats.
At Sycamore High, plagued by vague threats for two weeks, 25 percent of the 2,000 students stayed home Thursday.
At Oak Hills High School in Green Township, officials reported school was back to normal Thursday after 1,900 of the school's 2,500 students stayed home Wednesday because of a bomb threat made last week.
Administrators learned their lessons from tragedies such as the April 20 shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., where an Internet threat that someone would “finish the job” led authorities to cancel classes Thursday and today.
“I just don't think we can take it lightly. We persist. This is serious,” said West Clermont Superintendent Michael Ward, who has dealt with four separate bomb threats since November.
“The "cry wolf' effect would suggest that we would let up and start taking risks, and we're not going to do that. We have a pretty heavy responsibility with 9,000 (students') lives on the line.”
Now schools are hoping to fight fire with fire.
Students are being expelled and legally prosecuted. Missed class time is rescheduled. Doors are locked and threatening phone calls traced.
West Clermont administrators are offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of an offender. Even without the cash incentive, they are getting information.
“Students are angry. This is becoming ridiculous,” Mr. Ward said. “We're getting some good leads and we've already turned them over to the sheriff's office.”
Near Dayton, Ohio, two students at Troy High School were charged Thursday after death threats were found written in the cafeteria and a bathroom.
Six elementary school students in Bloomdale, south of Bowling Green in northwest Ohio, were arrested Wednesday after a bomb threat.
Despite the manpower and financial drain on schools and police departments, officials say they will not stop responding quickly and completely to threats.
“Although it has a shock effect at first, it loses its punch after a while. Fortunately, thus far, no bombs have gone off in schools, but you never know,” said Clermont County Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg. “You have to take it seriously.”
Officials hope strict discipline and criminal prosecution will dissuade any would-be copycats.
Sycamore Superintendent Bruce Armstrong said students may actually be safer in the wake of threats than before, thanks to extra police presence in schools.
“The overwhelming majority of people are thankful that their children are safe. I think there's a reaction out there that most of us have that we've been victimized. But that can't get in the way of our priority, which is a safe school environment,” Mr. Ward said.
“I pray that it's the end of it, but I'm afraid it isn't. I want it to be, desperately, and so does our community.”
Enquirer reporter Walt Schaefer and the Associated Press contributed.
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