Bomb threats frustrating staff, students
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March 4, 2013 |
Yet another bomb threat disrupted classes in
Bonners Ferry today, this one at the high
school, called in at about 1:24 p.m. after
another note was found scribbled in a stall in a
boy's restroom.
Because each such threat constitutes a crime,
hence an investigation, officials have to be
careful of what they say, but frustration oozes
through nearly every word. While it may seem to
be getting old hat; seven such "threats" this
year, neither school officials nor emergency
responders can afford to be lulled, even though
none of the threats to date have been credible.
Should they ignore the "sheep who cried wolf"
just once, there's the unimaginable possibility,
slight but real, that the wolf might one day
arrive, and tragedy be visited on our community
... on our children, as has happened to befall
too many other communities across the nation in
recent years.
A sixth grader has confessed responsibility ...
but police and the school have to be careful;
and they are, as evidenced today. Despite an
apparent confession, today's response was little
different to any that came before, and despite
the alleged confession, none of the security
measures emplaced previously were relaxed.
A confession isn't a conviction, and even a
confession is investigated thoroughly.
There is little doubt that these "pranks" are
being played by a student. What's worrisome,
said school superintendent Dick Conley, is that
the true student responsible is a loner, a rare
creature who doesn't talk, but who enjoys the
havoc wreaked.
"We're getting closer, but we're not hearing
from kids ... a lot of good kids who are as
tired of this as we are," Conley said. "It's a
jigsaw puzzle, and we're picking up new pieces
every time. We're getting closer to putting the
picture together."
A loner who doesn't talk, but who savors the
strength of so easily controlling an entire
school; of being able, at a whim, to disrupt an
entire system.
Offering rewards for information, Conley said,
are appreciated, but might not work.
"Ninety-nine point nine percent of the student
population here would like to put a final end to
this and they'd have no problem telling what
they knew," Conley said.
A number of male students have indicated that
they would prefer to beat the culprit to a pulp,
and then call authorities.
Such a person would be hard to catch, much less
convict. But with every passing threat, evidence
builds.
"I think we're looking for a kid who thinks he
is in control," Conley said. "A kid who thinks
he has the power to shut down everything at
whim. We have several pieces of the puzzle, and
the picture is getting clearer."
High School principal Kirk Hoff nearly grits his
teeth in holding back what he can't say.
"This is very frustrating," he said. "We have a
great group of kids doing their best ... just a
few can make it not so nice."
There is still a $1,000 reward offered for
information leading to the arrest and conviction
of the person responsible.
Not a kid who confesses falsely ... no one in
town wants to put blame where it doesn't belong.
If anyone; student, parent or teacher, has the
slightest suspicion, please call the Sheriff's
Office, (208) 267-3151, extension 0. |
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