Tuesday, October 7, 2014
New England Schools Terrorized by Bomb Threats
There have been a slew of bomb threats across New England lately. Schools fearing for the safety of their students continue to evacuate and close. Officials wonder if the threats are a string of copycats or an operation planned in conjunction. It's a shame this kind of disruptive behavior is occurring at all, especially in the school where Sandy Hook is now residing. I'd like to point out that bomb threats are taken more seriously than the constant threat of guns (considering the legality of purchasing/owning military-grade weapons).
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I think that it is incredibly frightening that schools are becoming a target for violent attacks. These kinds of threats need to be taken seriously. I agree with the public relations officer who said that no one will blame the police department for being too cautious, especially when children's lives could potentially be at risk. I'd also like to respond to Becky's comment about how bomb threats are taken more seriously than gun violence threats. I think this is because bombs have the ability to kill or seriously injure mass amounts of people at one time, where as guns can only fire a round at a time. Additionally, the attacker must be on site in order for a violent gun attack to occur; however, bombs can kill people without us ever figuring out who is responsible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mackenzie that it is horrendous that this amount of schools are receiving bomb threats. It's truly sad that those shameful bomb threats are hindering children's education. It's a dismal world that we live in where we have to take children out of school because people are threatening to bomb the school. What really shocked me about the article was that someone threatened to bomb Sandy Hook. I can only imagine what those children and parents are going through. They went through so much trauma in 2012, and now to be pulled out of school for more threats is just insane. These types of threats shine a negative light on schools for kids and parents. If anything it just makes parents more terrified to send their kids, and kids more terrified to actually go to school. That is why it is important for the police to vigorously investigate these threats because like the article states, no one will complain the police are doing too much when lives are at risk.
ReplyDeleteNot that I don't feel safe being at school, but it's kind of annoying that I have to even have it in the back of my mind that a bomb threat is a possibility. To target kids and teenagers in such a way to make a statement is disgusting and it shouldn't be tolerated. Even if these threats are bogus it's difficult for the students and teachers because every time there is a bomb threat, school is cancelled. Every time, the police have to be called so it's expensive for them. It's just a giant inconvenience for everyone so not only are the threats potentially dangerous, but they're also just annoying.
ReplyDeleteBomb threats are taken more seriously than most other dangers because a bomb can be easily hidden and can wipe out an entire school of students in the blink of an eye. I believe that status is completely warranted, whether the explosive in question is real or not. In addition, a bomb threat should be treated nearly, even equally, as severely as actually committing the attack. If you make the threat, prepare for the consequences associated with actually detonating a bomb. As for what you (Becky) describe as "a constant threat," firearms are not evil, and they are surely not to blame for crimes that involve them. A knife isn't blamed in a stabbing, a car isn't blamed in a hit-and-run, a can of spray paint isn't blamed for vandalism; in every crime the human element is to blame. Although mental health checks and criminal background checks are a good and necessary way of promoting safety, anything further only hurts law abiding firearm owners. The majority of guns used in crime are either stolen or bought on the black market, guns which the government has no power to regulate outside of law enforcement. Ultimately, would-be "bomb threateners" need to be aware of stiff consequences to prevent such incidents. **extra note: Although far from an expert, I think Samuel L. Jackson sums up the "Gun Issue" very well http://supportersofgunrights.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/samuel.jpg **
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone who have posted already. I believe that when students are at school, they should be able to feel safe without having to even think about bomb threats or any type of threat for that matter. But unfortunately, we don't live in that type of society. It is hard for students to catch up with just missing a day of school so I could only imagine what these students are feeling. Every single one of these threats should be taken seriously especially to schools that are located near the city of Boston. Also back to Becky's comment, I agree with Mackenzie. I think bomb threats are taken more seriously because it is much easier to get a bomb into school and instantly kill students, teachers, and faculty whereas a gun there needs to be a physical perpetrator who needs to pull the trigger and shoot each round.
ReplyDeleteIt is disgusting to me that there are people who find it fun to threaten to bomb a school or shoot students. I got the sense that the schools were taking the threats seriously but I feel like the law enforcement needs to pick up the pace. People who threaten to bomb a school should not be treated the exact way an actual bomber is treated but there should be a bigger penalty for threats. I think if the penalty were more terrifying threats would be more easily avoided. The people making these threats are absolute, I'm guessing I can't curse on here so I'll just go with idiots.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the example of Strath Haven as a threatened school, I can believe that the idea of a bomb threat is no joke. But, in the eyes of Strath Haven students, the idea of missing school is more important than the safety of the students there. It happens to be a case of "the boy who cried wolf" and in the end all the school can do is take the threat seriously. The people that make bomb threats are possibly more dangerous than the criminals that enter a school with a gun. The fear that is instilled is almost instantaneous and exist through the whole school and does not end until the whole school has been searched. It is a shame that our society relies on fear as a way to lead people.
ReplyDeleteI find it especially shocking that not only high schools are being targeted, but also elementary schools. Clearly there is some sort of trend going on here, whether its a trend of people actually attempting to bomb schools, or people sending out these threats to close the schools or cause panic. I'm glad to see that the police are being thorough and treating this situation seriously. I think they just need to start focusing on figuring out why these bomb threats are so frequent, why they're happening specifically in New England, and whether or not the frequency of these threats will increase in other areas of the US.
ReplyDeleteThe mere fact that school shootings and bombing have become a "trend" is absolutely revolting and terrifying. These repetitive threats in a concentrated area seem to be tactic to promote widespread panic amongst the nation. However, every single threat must be taken seriously. The places people are threatening to attack increase in grotesqueness year after year. Along with monitoring the schools, the source of these calls to New England schools needs to be stopped to prevent further panic.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard about the bomb threat at Sandy Hook, I felt so terrible for these students and families. It must have been terrible to go through that sort of panic once again. All bomb threats should be taken seriously, and penalties for threats, whether as a prank or as a way to spray fear, should be harsh. I'm interested to know whether these series of threats now are from a single source or are copycats. The article was about bomb threats, not gun violence, but I do agree with both sides of what everyone has been saying. Bomb threats have the potential to wipe out a lot of people at once, but the overall death toll from gun violence in America is so much higher than bombs, especially in schools. It's sad to think that people seem so intent on targeting places that are supposed to be safe spots for children to learn.
ReplyDeleteAlthough bomb threats are rather horrifying, at least we can find solace with the apparent cautiousness of police. I believe that through all of the recent school violence episodes such as Sandy Hook, schools are finally developing security measures that are cautious enough to keep schools and children safe. The only issue I see is that the bomb threats, although only threats and not actual violent explosions, still are provoking terror in communities, and are still having the effect of canceling school. These perpetrators must be swiftly apprehended, or else these communities could become numbed to the idea of a bomb threat, only until a real one takes place.
ReplyDeleteSchool is supposed to be a safe learning environment. I can't imagine coming to school everyday, fearing of a bomb threat. It would be absolutely terrifying. Kellen's theory of a "boy who cried wolf" scenario is also very upseting. Although no one can blame the police for the seriousness to which they are taking these threats, I still can't help but wonder if the police department will begin to lose this seriousness if these perpetrators aren't caught soon. I understand that the police deparmtnet is currently doing its best, but they need to push a little faster before a real threat occurrs.
ReplyDeleteThe quick response of the district is admirable and honorable; it is important that students' lives are valued above all else, although it is lamentable that class time is being lost and the kids are experiencing this fear. Like Tori, I wonder what pace will be taken in the coming weeks if nothing occurs. How will the school return dates be determined?
ReplyDeleteIn the earlier discussion about firearms and bombs, I think that the very specific use of the word "threat" may have been overlooked. Both bombs and guns are a "constant threat," and always will be as long as they exist, legally or illegally. This kind of a threat is vocal and uses fear to manipulate, as Kellen pointed out.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone else has pointed out, these threats should be taken seriously, and the people responsible need to be punished severely. Also, I'm curious as to why there is a high concentration of (proposed) school violence in New England, which is not typically thought of as a center for violent crime. Obviously, the safety of students and staff should be the first priority, so it is reassuring to see the swift cooperation between law enforcement and the school communities as they take necessary measures to protect those at risk.
ReplyDeleteI find this situation to be very strange. I do not see any reasons why there would be an increase in bomb threats in New England, nor do I understand why someone would even do such a thing. Bomb threats are a waste of the authorities' time, time that could be spent doing more productive things such as actually helping people who are in trouble. That said, bomb threats are still very serious and I agree with the sentiment that classes should be cancelled if there is even a chance that the students or faculty may be harmed. Hopefully the people behind these bomb threats are caught and punished.
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