Valentines Day interrupted by 2 more bomb threats at DHS

By Bruce Whetten
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 1:25 PM MST


Valentines Day at Douglas High School was interrupted by two more bomb threats Tuesday.


(Use arrows above to view more photos)

The two calls on Tuesday bring the total to four in five school days. School was interrupted last Wednesday and Thursday by bomb threats as well.


The first call Tuesday was reported to the Douglas Police Dept. around 6:30 A.M. as the school day was just beginning.


Those students who had zero period were affected while others had the school day start a little later than normal.


Around 7:45 the campus was deemed safe to return.


Officers for the Douglas Police Dept. confirm that the caller did actually call in Tuesday morning and speak to a DHS employee.


Less than three hours later another call was left on the school’s answering machine. This time school was in session and the students were moved to the ball fields behind DHS while the campus was searched in the cold wind that had temperatures fluctuating as the wind blew.


Students in the DHS culinary department were busy decorating cakes for Tuesday’s nights Centennial celebration. The decorating had to be put on hold while the campus was searched making it more difficult to meet their deadline.


Douglas Unified School Superintendent Sheila Rogers issued the following statement to the Douglas Dispatch: “for the past week, Douglas High School has been receiving bomb threats coming from an international phone number, which adds a very serious element to this situation. As you know, with our proximity to the Border and our society today, we MUST take all of these threats seriously.


“I can understand your frustration, as we can completely identify with how you feel.   It is difficult for our administrators, teachers, staff and our students to have their learning interrupted. All law enforcement agencies are involved and working together to follow safety procedures and to identify who is making these calls.


“We have no choice but to follow procedures as directed by law enforcement. Please know that we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If you have any information that might help us resolve this situation, please contact the District or the Douglas Police Department.”


The Douglas Police Dept. is continuing its investigation into identifying the caller.


The Douglas Dispatch will have more details as they become available.

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    the joke is on you wrote on Feb 15, 2012 12:12 PM:

    " What the kids doing this don't realize is that these days they think they are getting off from by making these call will have to be made up at the end of the year. HAHAHAHAH! the joke is on you crank caller! "

    Mom wrote on Feb 14, 2012 4:45 PM:

    " Despite all of the angered parents and motorists, I to am a parent to a DHS student. I hope they catch and charge the jerk who is making these calls, disrupting the students education and wasting tax dollars. Inspite of it all I would like to thank ALL of the school administration and ALL of the law enforcement that are taking all necessary precautions to keep our children safe. I hope you catch the person(s) and this all ends soon. "

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