Fake Bomb Threat Called In To Homewood-Flossmoor HS: Officials

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Officials at Homewood-Flossmoor High School learned Wednesday morning that the school was among a list of those to be targeted with a fake bomb threat Wednesday, and a phony threat was called in later in the day, the Village of Flossmoor said in a release.

The phone number for the school was found on a social media platform that accepts payment of $15-20 to call in a threat, officials said. Barrington Police found this information during an investigation into a fake threat that took place in that community last week, Flossmoor officials said.

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Law enforcement and school officials conducted a security sweep of the HF campus facilities Wednesday morning. The school received a phone threat after the sweep was conducted. There was determined to be no active threat to the school district or community, officials said.

In a notice issued to school families at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley addressed the incident.

"A call was received by the school indicating a bomb threat as expected," Wakeley wrote. "It is consistent with other fake threats received throughout Illinois. Police advised the administration that with the precautionary measures taken already this morning, including sweeping both inside and outside of the buildings by Flossmoor Police and Cook County Sheriff canine units as well as the information gathered through the investigation of fake threats across the country and state, that it is safe to continue school as usual."

An increased law enforcement presence will continue at the school, officials said.

Actions taken are as follows:

• Teachers and staff checked classrooms and work areas for anything unusual
• The Cook County Sheriff’s Police Bomb Technician and K9 Units assisted with searching the HF campus for any active threats
• At the advice of the Cook County Sheriff, the safest place for students is in a classroom that has been checked for safety, therefore, instruction continued as usual

The Flossmoor Police Department is working closely with school administration and Cook County law enforcement to investigate, officials said.

"The Flossmoor Police and Fire Departments regularly review safety plans and practice security drills in collaboration with our schools," officials said. "This is a good reminder that if you see something out of the ordinary, to say something."