Bomb Threat Prompts Police Search at Portsmouth High School

Portsmouth High School students arrived to school this morning to police officers patrolling campus after a suspicious note was found in the school Monday night. 

The note, according to an e-mail sent out to parents by Portsmouth High School Principal Robert Littlefield, referenced "an explosive device in the building." 

Rhode Island State Police and their K-9 team searched Portsmouth High School last night, but discovered no device. 

School resumed on Tuesday morning; however, police are on campus this morning as a safety precaution. 

Featured here is the e-mail, posted verbatim, which was sent out to Portsmouth High School parents this morning. 

I want to alert all members of the Portsmouth High School community of some events that took place at the school late last night and early this morning.

As our night custodian crew was making the last rounds of the evening before shutting down the school for the night, a note was discovered that referenced an explosive device in the building.

Our custodians notified the Portsmouth Police Department and thus began several hours of action to make sure the school was safe to receive students in the morning.

The entire building was searched last night with the assistance of the RI State Police and their canine team. Nothing was found and the school was declared safe for occupancy. As an extra measure of precaution and to provide our students with assurance that their school is safe, we have asked for police presence on campus this morning.

I want to thank our custodians, Police Chief Furtado and the Portsmouth Police Department for their vigilance last night.

Today we will go ahead with school as normal. The investigation into identifying the source of the note will continue.  If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to write to me at: littlefieldr@portsmouthschoolsri.org 

Robert E. Littlefield
Principal