School bomb threat #8 another false alarm
March 7, 2013
Just four days after the last bomb threat forced evacuation of a Boundary County school, and only one day after it was announced that a suspect had been suspended, Bonners Ferry High School students again endured the all-to-familiar drill of evacuating again today.

Once again, the threat was found scrawled on a wall, the very same threat scrawled in a men's restroom stall three or four threats ago; "Bomb 3:30." This time, it wasn't scratched into a restroom stall; only two remain open near the main office, both monitored with a guard at the door logging who goes in and out.

This time, the threat was found in the high school men's locker room.

"With three PE classes going on right outside the door, there is no way to identify who did this," said Boundary County Emergency Management Incident Commander Bob Graham.

The threat was again discovered and reported right around lunch time and another full emergency response was dispatched at 11:45 a.m.; police, the Sheriff's Office, fire crews and ambulance personnel. As is the case in any emergency involving hazardous materials, and the threat of an explosive device is one, Graham had to notify State Comm, which in turn sent an alert to all state and federal agencies designated to respond to the purported threat.

Emergency crews searched the scene, again finding nothing, and students returned to class an hour later, at 12:45 p.m.

For the eighth time this year, at both the high school and junior high, this one was a false alarm.

"We're a laughing stock," Graham said. "So far, all the threats have been idle, but what happens if someone decides to really plant a bomb? It really worries me that we'll become complacent and miss the real one because of all the idle threats."

Everyone, from school officials, teachers and staff to emergency responders, parents and the students themselves have expressed frustration, often tinged with outrage, over the apparent inability to put an end to the reign of terror.

But Graham said that everyone involved is doing all they can under  rules and regulations that have evolved in the past few years, tying their hands with a sticky web of political correctness.

Each time a report is made, News Bonners Ferry works to get word out quickly, posting news on the website, sending out email alerts and posting the news to two newsbf Facebook sites, most often as emergency responders are just reaching the scene.

Each time, readers comment, with growing concern and frustration with each new incident.

"I think it's a little sad that blame is being put on the school and the school district," one mother wrote as today's threat was being investigated. "Sure, it's probably true that a little harsher punishment needs to be installed, but ultimately WE are supposed to be responsible for raising our children. Not the school, the teachers or the school board. There is a complete lack of any respect and I think maybe it's important for us to reflect on what is going on in our homes and in our community as a whole first and foremost. If I had pulled this when I was a kid, I would be more terrified of what happened at home than at school, and I don't think these kids even feel somewhat the same."

"I agree that it starts at home, but I've also heard stories of lack of disciplining students by the administration" wrote another. "When Mr. Schwartz was the high school principal, he stood in the hallway with his arms crossed and never cracked a smile, and I was terrified of him. He was present and we knew he meant business. Parents today are a large part of the problem because they jump to the defense of their children instead of supporting the staff and encouraging discipline."

"My thoughts are with the school staff and emergency crews," wrote a third. "They are all between a rock and a hard spot. It seriously makes me sick to think that the young people who are responsible for these threats are our future leaders."

While the threats so far have been confined to the high school and middle school, the effects, and fear ripple to all grade levels.

"I had my five yearr old kindergartner ask me this morning if it was safe for her at school," one Mom wrote. "She hears about these threats and now she is worried about going to school. It doesn't just affect the high/middle school kids, but all the children. Five years old is too young to worry about this stuff!"

Concern has also been raised about the effect these threats will have on Tuesday's M&O levy.

"So someone please explain to me why we should vote 'yes' on the levy?" one parent wrote. "I am finding it very difficult to say yes. Why? So my money can go to the education that isn't being received?"

"Making a connection between these ridiculous threats and the levy are ignorant and shortsighted," another responded. "The school staff do an amazing job day in and day out, from the bus drivers to the custodians, teachers to food service. These people are just as upset as anyone. Blaming them for the actions of one (or a small number) bad kidis ridiculous, as is sanctioning the district and all of the great staff and students in Boundary County by voting 'no' on the levy."