Port McNeill RCMP detachment responded to a call at Sunset Elementary School (SES) about what was considered a bomb threat yesterday.
Late in the afternoon on Dec. 10, a SES staff member found a bomb threat, resulting in an evacuation for the last half hour of class.
In a Dec. 11 police report, mounties stated that “the Port McNeill RCMP received a report of a bomb threat at Sunset Elementary School” around 2:20 p.m. “RCMP ordered the evacuation of the school, ensuring all students were moved a safe distance away. RCMP officers investigated the source of the threat and determined that it originated from a computer and printer within the School. A thorough search of the school by police and school staff yielded nothing suspicious and it is believed the threat was a hoax by a student.”
School District 85 commented via phone that the district takes threats seriously and confirmed that during the incident the school had followed the critical incident procedure and policy.
SES Principal Kelly Amodeo then stated online that the school’s shutdown was on the advice of the RCMP. “The students remained in the school yard until the bell rang and they were dismissed from there,” the principal added. “Due to the swiftness of the evacuation, students left the building without backpacks.”
The principal also noted that the school was, in fact, reopened on Dec. 11. “The nature of the timing of this threat did not allow us to send home information (yesterday),” she said as she reassured families, “but please look for a letter to come home (today).”
“I want to let you know that all of our students showed Sunset courage during this incident and individual classes will be debriefing (today),” she also said.
Anyone with more information on the false bomb threat is asked to contact the town’s RCMP at (250) 956-4441.
