In the wake of several bomb threats at Seymour and Shelton schools, emergency responders and school officials are trying to get a message across to students: Bomb threats are serious business.
Despite that message, the threats keep coming.
The threats scrawled on bathroom walls clog up emergency resources, cost money and can ultimately put students at risk, several officials said Friday.
Students who are caught making threats will be prosecuted, and could face time in a juvenile detention center, according to police from both Shelton and Seymour.
Friday’s Threats
Two more threats were made Friday.
At Shelton High School, a note containing a threat against the school was found Friday afternoon. Police did not give out specifics about the note, except that it mentioned the school’s air conditioner.
Earlier Friday morning, a bomb threat note was found written on a girls’ bathroom stall at Seymour Middle School, according to Seymour Lt. Paul Satkowski.
Both threats were found to be false, and students were sent back to their classes.
Seven previous threats at Shelton and Seymour schools turned out to be false reports.
Three students have been arrested in Shelton, and two have been arrested in Seymour so far for the threats.
Two students in Shelton were expelled.
Click here for a full timeline of the threats.
Response
Shelton Detective Ben Trabka said the police department and Shelton schools are talking about ways to communicate the risks and consequences associated with the threats.
In Seymour, two assemblies have already been held with students.
The district’s director of security, Richard Kearns, sat down with students at both the high school and the middle school this week, according to Superintendent Mary Anne Mascolo.
“Mr. Kearns, along with the high school administration, held an assembly to explain to the students what has been going on and the severity of the consequences (arrest, suspension and recommendation for expulsion) for this kind of behavior,” Mascolo wrote in an e-mail. “Additionally Mr. Kearns shared with the students his concerns regarding the time that emergency services spent on a false report when their services may have been needed elsewhere for a real emergency.”
It didn’t make a difference.
An assembly was held at the middle school on Thursday, after a bomb threat there.
Friday, another bomb threat was made at the school.
Lt. Satkowski said it’s not clear why students aren’t responding after witnessing the consequences — watching other students get arrested, and hearing the impact the bomb threats have had on the town.
“I really don’t know,” Satkowski said. “I think that’s kind of baffling everybody. Is it someone trying to be big and bad? We don’t know. Is it ‘Catch me if you can?’ I don’t have those answers.”
Satkowski said the department and schools continue to investigate the threats.
‘No Respect’
Students, parents and officials have said they are frustrated by the constant threats.
“It’s annoying,” said Shelton senior Nikki Lewis. “They just made an announcement that they are going to extend school.”
Senior Ashley Blankenship said she was especially upset about a threat made on Thursday — Veterans Day. The high school had planned to have veterans speak to students about their contributions.
“I feel like they felt threatened in their own town,” Blankenship said. “It’s disrespectful.”
Sophomore Will Karcher said at first the threats were funny, because they got to miss class.
“Now it’s getting annoying,” Karcher said. “The fact that it’s happening so often.”
Parents expressed concern too.
“I’m just really sorry kids today don’t have more respect for themselves, to want an education,” said Blankenship’s mother, Lori. “The kids are missing class. They think it’s funny. They have no concern for anyone who is responding.”
Det. Trabka, in Shelton, said the threats are draining police resources, and turning teachers into babysitters.
“It’s very frustrating,” Trabka said. “They have no respect for anything.”
Risk and Resources
Emergency responders said the cost is high.
“It’s unfortunate, the whole aspect of the manpower you’re tying up, the equipment,” said Seymour Deputy Fire Marshal Timm Willis, who responded to Friday’s threat at the Seymour Middle School.
“It definitely puts people at needless risk,” said Scott Andrews, the Seymour Ambulance Director and a member of the fire department. “Even the kids — being outside, and outside their element.”
Willis said that with each subsequent call, fewer volunteers respond.
“I hate to say it, but the responses are starting to be lower because they’re crying wolf,” Willis said.