Two arrested in bomb threats

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 14, 2003
Two 16-year-old Kate Griffin Junior High students remained in the Lauderdale County Juvenile Center today after being arrested Tuesday for calling in bomb threats to their school.
Meridian police made the arrests and said they could not identify the students because they are juveniles.
The bomb threats were called in to the school on Monday. The school evacuated students for about 20 minutes while a bomb-sniffing dog searched the school.
Sgt. Randy Jackson, a Meridian Police Department spokesman, said officers used "investigative techniques" to find the culprits.
The students must appear before a youth court judge within 48 hours of their arrival to determine if they should remain at the juvenile center.
The judge will then set a hearing for their case.
Tuesday's arrests are the latest in what has become a growing problem in the Meridian Public School District the past five years.
In October, Meridian police arrested an 18-year-old Meridian High School student in connection with two bomb threats at the school.
Sam Thompson, director of safety at Meridian Public Schools, said his department, along with police, were able to solve nine bomb threats last school year.
Thompson said he hopes the arrests will prevent future bomb threats.