Anonymous Threat Made Against Newport School

NEWPORT, RI—Schools across Newport have an increased police presence Monday after an anonymous threat was made to the principal of Rogers High School.

Newport police Sgt. Corey Huck said in a news release that the principal, Jeff Goss, got an anonymous call at around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

A search of the school showed “no evidence of any foul play,” Huck said, and police and the school department have worked closely to ensure the safety of students for the upcoming school day.

“After careful consideration it was determined that the school day would not be cancelled,” Huck said. “The threat is still being investigated but it is believed to be a hoax at this time and one that has mimicked other such hoaxes that are similar in nature throughout the country. An increased police presence will be maintained as the safety of our schools is of the utmost priority.”

The threat to a school in Newport comes about two weeks after a similar threat was phoned in to Mt. Hope High School in Bristol.

The threat to Mt. Hope High School was one of scores of threats to schools across New England and other states in a short period of time. Many come from a robotic, computer-generated voice threatening violence in the form of shootings and bombings.

While the threats have proven to be unfounded, they tax law enforcement resources and bring a sense of unease to parents. They also cause massive disruptions to the school day in some cases; in Bristol, students were evacuated when temperatures were in the 20s and some students had to be transported to a nearby community facility to keep warm.

State and federal authorities including the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been investigating the wave of threats to schools across the country.

In one day alone in New Jersey last week, 26 schools were threatened by robocalls that were ultimately traced to California.

“This is a serious offense. Students can be affected. First responders can be affected,” said Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal, adding that those found responsible for the calls would be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Grewal said that incidents such as this leave ”digital footprints” for authorities to track.

“We will follow up on any leads,” Grewal said.

This story is being updated.