Fake bomb threats have serious consequences
School bomb threats are a serious concern and no matter what the intent is, they are never taken lightly. Many times, the call is simply meant to be a joke. But in today’s world, every threat must be taken seriously by school officials and law enforcement agencies. There is just too much at risk not to do so.
Sadly, the consequences of these fake threats can be extreme, as a 15-year-old Phil Campbell student learned the hard way last week.
“This is going to change his [the juvenile’s] life,” said Phil Campbell Police Chief Jessica Clements. “The person has been a decent student, not had any problems.”
But none of those things matter, Clements quickly added. “You can’t not do your job because you know that history. We [police] have to do our job.”
The juvenile was arrested and charged with first-degree making a terrorist threat. He was placed in the Franklin County Juvenile detention facility in Russellville, officials said.
When he gets out of juvenile detention, he may not be welcomed on any of the county’s school campuses. He committed a Class III offense, which is listed in the school system’s handbook as one of the most serious offenses. The penalty for those serious offenses: suspension and possible recommendation for expulsion.
And the consequences could continue to impact the student’s future as well, affecting his ability to find another high school that will accept him, and reducing his chances to go to college. And the criminal charges could make it difficult to get jobs in the future.
Each time a threat is made against one of our schools, man hours and tax dollars are wasted searching the school. In Phil Campbell, the Florence Police Department’s bomb squad had to be called in to sweep the school. It took more than an hour to conduct the sweep. Such delays disrupt the school day for students, and for families as some parents had to leave work to come get their children.
Clements said last week’s incident created an opportunity for law enforcement, school officials and parents to have some frank discussions with students.
“I guess we’re going to have to go around to classes and say, this is what’s in store for your future if you do this,” the police chief said.
Brooklyn Bigbee, mental health coordinator for Colbert County schools, agrees now is the time for parents to have a conversation with their school-age children.
“It’s up to parents, as well as our staff, to be proactive and let students know that threats are not taken lightly,” Bigbee said.
We agree. Mom and Dad, sit down with your children who are in school and talk to them about school bomb threats. Ask them why they think students make such threats. See if they have ever experienced at school the disruptions caused by such a threat, and what their thoughts were at the time.
Then ask them if they are aware of the consequences for a student who makes such a prank call — the criminal charges, time in a juvenile detention center, and suspension and/ or expulsion from school. Then ask them if they have ever thought about how such a prank call could impact them later in life.
It’s not a pleasant conversation, but it is a necessary one. If talking frankly about the lasting impacts of such a threat keeps a student from making the mistake, it could be a discussion they’ll someday be thankful they had.
