school threat

East Bridgewater Police Respond to School Threat

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Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3299
Email: [email protected]

East Bridgewater Police Respond to School Threat

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen and Superintendent Elizabeth Legault report that East Bridgewater schools were placed in a lock down Thursday morning due to a threat that was made through a smartphone application.

There is currently no immediate threat to the schools and police cleared the scene as of 10:15 a.m.

At approximately 7:15 a.m., East Bridgewater Police responded to East Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School, 143 Plymouth St., after being notified of a threat that was made toward the school via the anonymous tip messaging app StopIt. The StopIt app allows people to anonymously send messages which get sent to school administrators.

The threat toward the school made reference to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting.

Upon learning of the message, school officials immediately notified police and the junior/senior high school was placed into lock down mode. Other schools in town had  their students shelter in place out of an abundance of caution.

A message was sent by school officials to parents notifying them of the situation.

East Bridgewater Police thoroughly searched each floor of the junior/senior high school, including all lockers, classrooms and students’ backpacks and personal belongings. Through the subsequent investigation it was determined that the threat was not credible.

“We searched throughout the school and did not locate anything that would verify that the threat was credible,” Chief Allen said. “We are confident that there is no danger to the school community, students, faculty or staff.”

The school district is investigating the incident with support from East Bridgewater Police.

“The district takes all threats seriously and will take all precautionary and necessary measures to contain the possibility of a threat and to keep all students, staff, and personnel safe,” Superintendent Legault said.

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Andover High Student Arrested After Threat Appears Online

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ANDOVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Sheldon Berman, Superintendent
36R Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Monday, March 26, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Andover High Student Arrested After Threat Appears Online

Photo of Firearms Was Downloaded from Internet by Suspect

Courtesy of Andover Police
Courtesy of Andover Police

ANDOVER — Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, Superintendent of Schools Sheldon Berman, and Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad report that an Andover High School student has been arrested by Andover Police as authorities investigate a threatening post appeared on Snapchat.

At 7 p.m. Monday, parents reported to the Andover Police Department and Andover High School officials that someone posted a photo of assault rifles online with a message warning students not to come to school tomorrow.  An investigation followed. The alleged origin of the social media posts was traced to an Andover High School junior, and police went to his home to question him. He has been arrested and is in custody at this hour as the suspect behind the posting.

The investigation also determined that the photo of assault rifles posted to Snapchat was downloaded from the Internet and not an actual photo taken by the suspect. Police reported that no firearms were found at the residence.

Disciplinary procedures are being followed by school officials, and the student has been suspended on an emergency basis. 

There is no danger at this time to the school or greater community. School will go on as scheduled tomorrow. Out of an abundance of caution, extra officers will be assigned, and families may notice the increased police presence.

“While we are confident that there is no danger, I am proud that the procedures we have in place in the event of a threat were followed, and I am pleased with the level of teamwork and constant communication among officials as this unfolded over the past few hours,” Superintendent Berman said. “The Andover Police Department is to be commended for investigating this threat with great professionalism and providing a resolution within two hours of the initial report.

More information will be released by the town, schools, and Andover Police Department as it becomes available. 

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Rockport Police Department Investigating School Threat

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Rockport Police Department
John Horvath, Police Chief
168 Main St.
Rockport, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rockport Police Department Investigating School Threat

ROCKPORT — Chief John Horvath reports that the Rockport Police Department has identified a juvenile female suspect and is investigating after an apparent threat was made via social media against Rockport High School.

Rockport Police were notified Thursday evening about a threatening Snapchat post claiming that bombs were placed in Rockport High School bathrooms. Investigators quickly determined that the social media posts were several weeks old, however, a suspect was identified and now faces criminal charges.

The suspect, a JUVENILE FEMALE AT ROCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL, AGE 17, will be summonsed to Essex County Juvenile Court at Salem on criminal charges. The investigation remains ongoing.

Out of an abundance of caution, police searched Rockport High School overnight. Nothing dangerous was found. A notice was sent to the school community by administrators, and classes will go on as scheduled Friday.

Police do not believe that there is any danger to the school whatsoever.

“We are confident that there is no danger to the school community, students, faculty or staff,” Chief Horvath said. “Thankfully, our officers conducted an aggressive investigation and were able to determine the age and origin of these threats. While we do not believe there was ever an active danger to the school, there are serious consequences that come from this kind of behavior.”

Chief Horvath and Superintendent of Schools Robert Liebow have been in regular communication during this incident, and counseling resources will made available through the school department for anyone who feels troubled by the situation.

Further inquiries regarding the matter should be referred to Rockport Superintendent of Schools Robert Liebow.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Tyngsborough Police Investigating Bomb Threats at Greater Lowell Technical High School

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TyngsboroughPD2

Tyngsborough Police Department
Chief Richard D. Howe
20 Westford Road
Tyngsborough, MA 01879

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Tyngsborough Police Investigate Threats Against Greater Lowell Technical High School

Threats Monday and Tuesday. Student Suspect Identified in First Incident.

TYNGSBOROUGH — Police Chief Richard Howe reports that the Tyngsborough Police Department is investigating two separate bomb threats made against Greater Lowell Technical High School this week.

Early Monday morning, before the start of school, a student reported a bomb threat had been written on a bathroom wall. School officials and the Tyngsborough Police Department School Resource Officer investigated and quickly identified a student believed to be responsible for scrawling the threat. The parents of the student were contacted, and the school took disciplinary action against the student.

Today, a second bomb threat was found on another bathroom wall in the school at about 1 p.m. Police were called in, and the building was evacuated out of an abundance of caution. The school was searched by Tyngsborough Police and Fire, with help from the Lowell Fire Department. The threat was determined to be a hoax, and classes resumed.

The incident remains under investigation. No students were hurt during either incident.

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