Old Orchard Beach school threat deemed not credible
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Police say a threat made to Old Orchard Beach High School on Friday afternoon was not credible.
Local emergency dispatchers received a call of a potential threat to Old Orchard Beach High School on Friday, Jan. 31, according to a press release from Deputy Chief David Hemingway. The call was received around 3:30 p.m., after the school day had ended.
The caller said they were in a car near the high school. Old Orchard Beach police immediately responded to the high school, and secured the two other nearby schools as a precaution, said Hemingway. The schools were evacuated, and all students in school buildings were transported to an alternate re-unification area, said Hemingway. All town schools and surrounding grounds were thoroughly searched and cleared, he said.
“Based on information obtained there does not appear to be a credible threat to the schools or community,” said Hemingway.
The incident remains under investigation by the Old Orchard Beach Police department, he said.
Old Orchard Beach Recreation Director Jason Webber and Assistant Director Nikki Duplisea said in a written statement that students in the department’s after school program were evacuated from the schools and were safely transported to The Ballpark. Parents were sent an email with instructions on picking up their children.
Webber and Duplisea said they were proud of and thankful for the professionalism and compassion of the town’s first responders, RSU 23 staff, and recreation department staff.
“To our Gull Care families, thank you for your trust and patience. We understand how stressful this situation can be for families, and we want to acknowledge that your children may have questions or need to talk about today’s events. If you would like to utilize town resources for support or set up a meeting to discuss how to navigate these conversations, please let us know, and we will guide you to the appropriate department,” said Webber and Duplisea.
Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.