'Multiple suspects' responsible for threats
March 21, 2013
In a press release issued Wednesday, the Boundary County Sheriff's Office affirmed that not one but several people are suspected of perpetrating the 10 bomb hoaxes that have disrupted classes this year, and may lead to a shorter summer vacation to allow students to make up for lost time.

"There have been numerous bomb threats to schools within the Boundary County School District," the relase begins. "These threats are being investigated jointly by the Boundary County School District, the Bonners Ferry Police Department and the Boundary County Sheriff's Office. Each threat has been evaluated and investigated independent from the other threats. The manner in which these threats have been received have varied. Multiple suspects are responsible for making these threats.

"To date, a student has been identified as having made a written threat at the Bonners Ferry Middle School. Criminal charges are pending a determination by the Boundary County Prosecutor's Office. Bonners Ferry High School has taken administrative action on a student in conjunction with a written threat at the high school.

"Law enforcement is currently investigating an additional suspect in the most recent threat."

While the release did not give details, News Bonners Ferry has learned that the latest threat, called in to the sheriff's office on Tuesday and deemed not credible by authorities, was almost immediately traced to a telephone in southern Idaho. Working with law enforcement agencies in that area, the caller appears to be a youth who was home alone when that call was made.

"Each threat is evaluated for credibility in determining an appropriate response," the sheriff's release continues. "The primary consideration is the safety of the students, the school faculty and for the public.

"The level of response may vary depending on the nature of the threat. Typically, multiple fire and ambulance personnel and apparatus respond for safety as well as to assist in the actual search for a dangerous device.

"Once students have been evacuated from the school, school staff assists law enforcement personnel from the sheriff's office, the police department and Border Patrol in the search of the school buildings and grounds."

On Tuesday, school district superintendent Dick Conley told KREM 2 news reporters that the school year may be extended to make up for the time lost due to the evacuations and closures resulting from all the hoaxes.