Another Bomb Threat Against Newport Schools

NEWPORT, RI—A second bomb threat in as many days has been made against Newport schools.

On Tuesday at around 5:30 a.m., police got an automated phone call threatening all Newport schools.

Superintendent Collen Burns Jermain notified parents of the threat and made assurances that all school facilities are safe and secure.

“We believe this is a hoax,” Jermain said. “We are taking this seriously and out of an abundance of caution we are implementing all appropriate emergency procedures working with the Newport Police.”

All buildings have been searched and police are maintaining a strong presence at all Newport schools.

“Police will remain on and around our campuses today to reassure our students and staff they are as safe as possible. There is no evidence of any misdoing or to think the threat is real,” Jermain said. ”All buildings have been locked, alarmed, and secured at all times during the evening and early hours. It is unfortunate that this has happened. Please know all precautions and safety measures have been put in place.”

On Monday, Rogers High School Principal Jeff Goss received a phone call threatening violence.

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.

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.