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photo by Lauren Wicks
Bomb threat: Suffolk police and firefighters responded on Friday to Nansemond-River High School for a bomb threat. The school was evacuated for about an hour, and students were kept out of their classrooms for nearly three hours.
Bomb hoaxer faces stiff penalties
NRHS evacuated Friday after caller’s threat
Published Friday, September 25, 2009
Students and faculty at Nansemond River High School were evacuated from the building Friday morning after emergency officials received a bomb threat on the school.
According to police reports, the staff at Florence Bowser Elementary School received a phoned-in bomb threat for Nansemond River High School shortly before 9 a.m.
The building was immediately evacuated, while officials from Suffolk Police, Suffolk Fire & Rescue and the Fire Marshall’s Office responded to the scene.
Students, faculty and staff spent an hour outside Friday morning, until they were allowed to re-enter the building into assigned areas of the school. By 11:15 a.m., the students were permitted to go back to their classrooms.
The Fire Marshall’s office is still examining the threat, according to Diana Klink, media and community relations manager for the city of Suffolk.
“The Fire Marshall’s office is currently investigating, and every attempt will be made to locate the perpetrator,” Klink said. “This is a felony, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest.”
This is the first bomb threat in the school system since school began, but the system has a protocol in place to handle these crisis situations.
According to Bethanne Bradshaw, public information officer for the Suffolk Public Schools, school officials first contact emergency dispatch once they hear a threat, but often bomb threat calls go directly to police dispatch, anyway.
From that point, the city’s fire department is in charge.
The decision to evacuate a school is made only after an initial assessment from the fire department officials. If a school is not evacuated, it is typically put in lock-down mode, where no student or staff member is allowed in or out of the building.
Klink said specific threat assessment protocols could not be released because of security measures.
Bradshaw said the school system also has a telephone system that is able to trace calls. Staff members share any information or leads they have with fire investigators, because the people giving the threats are usually school-aged.
“For most part, callers often appear to be juveniles,” Bradshaw wrote in an email to the News-Herald. “Written threats are also assumed to be mostly students. If the caller is a student, school policy calls for expulsion. The fire department, of course, can also press criminal charges.”
Additionally, all students were sent home from school on Friday with a letter from the Principal Thomas McLemore explaining the situation.
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Comments
Posted by KNRMCO (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The police, fire dept, & school officials shoulld PUBLICALLY reveal who is behind theses threats. They should then PUBLICALLY reveal what the charges will be/are so that any fool who may think about doing it knows what they will be facing!
Posted by flintstone (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The students and staff at NRHS should be commened for their behavior during this stressfull time yesterday at the school. My daughter told us that most of the kids just stood around and talked while standing in the rain outside and then she and many other went into the gym where basketball coach Ed Young explained to the kids what was happening and then held a shooting contest and cheerleading dance rountine for the kids entertainment. Though I am disgusted and angry with the situation of some fool putting my child at danger and interupting their education, I'm proud of the teachers and administrators of Nansemond River for their care and concern. My child is in the best school in the STATE!
Posted by cedarboy1 (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excellent comment by KNRMCO and I think It's an excellent suggestion. Come on news papers do it .You also have freedom of speech. Act on your mission statement. I TRIPLE DOG DARE Ya!!!
Posted by OD (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nansemond River High ranks 277th of 319 Virginia public high schools.
Suffolk City Pblc Schs ranks 89th of 120 Virginia school districts.
Posted by joanip01 (anonymous) on September 26, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KNRMCO... couldn't of said it better myself. With that being done the next fool will only think about doing it b/c they will know the fallout to come afterwards.
Posted by derrickdivine (anonymous) on September 27, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i believe that the person/s name should be reveiled and their penalty. Therefore whoever might be thinking of committing such an act will know exactly what they are in store for.
Posted by OD (anonymous) on September 27, 2009 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
juvies or under the age of 18 are protected from having their names published or released to the media...I dont agree either
Posted by USAF27Yrs (anonymous) on September 28, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Accountability! Regardless of their age, this person or persons need to be held acountable. Thats the problem with children today. The Gov't has given more rights to the children than the parents. Parents are either to busy trying to make ends meet to be involved with their children or to scared to correct them in fear of being turned in to CPS. Youths today have no respect for themselves or their parents.
Posted by OD (anonymous) on September 28, 2009 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agree USAF27...It doesnt take a village tro raise a kid as the libeeals want you to believe. Based on your sreen name thank you for your service to this country and welcome to this forum of debate and commentary. Be prepared at times of incoming attacks from one or two who cannot debate but only attack fhe messenger. I dont think that you will have any problem but intell must be investigated and reviewed to determine ones action and or reaction as you know. Again thank you for your service and if possible shake your hand.
Posted by flintstone (anonymous) on September 28, 2009 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OD, just curious...where did you attend High School?...any college?
Posted by OD (anonymous) on September 28, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why are you asking as you said, just curious, not being rude either...
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