BCSD responds to false threat

BONNERS FERRY — On Feb. 22, Boundary County Middle School received a potential threat via telephone, along with several other schools across Idaho and Colorado.

Boundary County School District Superintendent Jan Bayer said district officials, Boundary County Sheriff’s Office, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Kootenai Tribal Police, and Border Patrol worked collaboratively to respond to a potential threat.

The primary focus was at Boundary County Middle School, but both Bonners Ferry High School and BCMS went into lockdown and Valley View was placed in a safety hold out of an abundance of caution, she said in a press release. Officers searched the schools and viewed video footage at BCMS. Once completed, schools were cleared and school resumed.

Unfortunately, similar telephone threats were received across Idaho, Bayer said. At this time, all appear to be hoaxes. School district personnel and law enforcement continuously participate in training to be prepared for these incidents.

“We take all threats seriously. We have already communicated with state and federal partners to determine who is making the threats,” she said. “Law enforcement will seek legal action/prosecution of the perpetrator(s).

“Feb. 22, BCSD’s administrative team met to discuss what went well and areas we can improve in response to the threat today. Our number one concern is safety. Thank you for the immediate response of our local law enforcement and our staff.

“To our students we want you to be safe. We are proud of how you responded on Wednesday,” she said.

Idaho State Police announced that several jurisdictions across Idaho also received a 911 call reporting a threat to schools.

In Coeur d’Alene Lake City High School was locked down Wednesday morning following what was later determined to be a false report of an active shooter on school grounds.

“The information we have now suggests the threat came from outside our area, and there wasn’t ever a threat to anyone at LCHS,” according to a Coeur d’Alene Police Department news release.

A school resource officer was on scene at the time of the report and LCHS was immediately locked down.

“Because the safety of our kids is paramount, all available officers from the police department, along with surrounding agencies immediately began responding to the school,” the press release said.

Within two minutes, officers arrived with more on the way.

Medical personnel from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department also responded.

After searching the school, police determined it was a false report and began clearing the scene about 10 a.m.

Several officers remained on site as the school, which has about 1,600 students, resumed classes.

Schools in Colorado also received swatting calls on Wednesday.

“Swatting calls” is when someone makes a false call to law enforcement claiming an emergency and gives them a real physical location to respond to.

Colorado news outlets reported that school districts were called in alphabetical order starting at 8:24 a.m. CST to 1:45 p.m. No credible threat was found.

The Ontario School District in Oregon reported a similar situation Tuesday.

“An anonymous report was made to dispatch concerning a potential threat to student safety on the OHS campus,” a press release said. "It appears as if this same threat was made to multiple organizations throughout the state. In a coordinated effort with the Ontario Police Department and district personnel, an assessment and search revealed no present or impending threat to students. All students are safe and the school day was able to proceed as normal.”

Bill Buley with the Coeur d'Alene Press contributed to this article.