It was in lunch high school lunch period when the students heard they had to rush out at Antwerp Local Schools on Tuesday, January 27. Why? “It’s a bomb. We must evacuate the school!” The teachers and administrators began moving the young people to their appropriate bus numbers on this cloudless day. Kindergartners and some of the other elementary classes missed their lunch.
Starting their engines the busses filled up and began moving the students to the undisclosed location at the Antwerp Community Church around the corner from the school near the US 24 exit ramp.
The bomb threat was scrawled on the boys bathroom wall saying there was an explosive set to detonate at a certain time. In a situation like this the school officials cannot assume it’s a prank when children’s lives could be on the line. Even though it came out there was no bomb, “It is certainly not a prank,” stated Superintendent Pat Ross. “This is a serious crime and a felony.”
The Antwerp Police Department took action with Chief George Clemens taking charge of the operation and investigation. Bomb Squads were brought in from Allen County Ohio and soon filled the school with emergency officials from throughout the area, converging upon this one location. Paulding County Sheriff, Jason Landers, was on the scene investigating what happened assisting Clemens.
Though it may have inconvenienced students and parents, safety was thought of first in this emergency situation. Parents were kept informed as the situation unfolded through the Honeywell Alert system the school has been using for weather delays and cancellations. Now we know it’s also used for tier one alerts such as this.
Some parents said they did not receive the messages. If parents are not on the list they can easily sign up at the school website: antwerpschools.org and from their they can choose “Instant Alert” and sign up for different levels alerts. Some people may not want to know of every warning and they can simply check the ‘high importance’ box to keep informed of the safety emergencies.
From the time of announcement to the time when it was proclaimed to be safe, the school and officials worked from their drills of evacuation training performed regularly at the school.
The unnamed suspect who was arrested is a 15 year old juvenile male, with a previous record and has now violated his probation. According to Chief Clemens there are possibly more being investigated as accomplices.
The case has been sent to Paulding County Prosecutor Joe Burkard for pending charges.
ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training has been implemented with all county emergency personal as a coordinated effort by the Sheriff’s Office.
Clemens stated, “We take safety serious for the students and the teachers. Everyone worked very well together. I am very pleased with the Sheriff putting these practices in place for when the real thing hits like this!”
Pat Ross commented on being pleased with the operation, “The training the teachers, administration and bus drivers went through has paid off. The students were escorted timely to the busses and then transported safely to the offsite location. I’m very appreciative of all the staff, aids, Sheriff, and police. Everyone worked well together for the safety of the children. People need to think what they are doing to others when they do this”
Even with the few small hiccups I’m sure everyone is glad the young people are safe. The feedback the school is receiving is being used to hone this to be more effective if it might occur again. Hopefully not.
