Ohio authorities have deployed state police to Springfield schools after a series of bomb threats, with most originating from overseas. The threats followed false claims made by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance alleging that legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield were consuming dogs and cats.
Over 30 hoax threats targeted schools, government buildings, and officials’ homes in Springfield, leading to evacuations and closures last week. Governor Mike DeWine attributed the threats to a foreign actor, without disclosing the country of origin. Dan Tierney, DeWine’s spokesperson, indicated that a criminal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies identified the foreign source of the threats.
Tierney clarified that the threats were mainly from foreign actors, emphasizing that they did not originate from within the local community or elsewhere in the United States. In response to the threats, additional state police presence was provided to ensure the safety of schools and reassure families.
To address the situation, Governor DeWine deployed Ohio State Highway Patrol members to assist in maintaining school operations. Patrol officers were assigned to each of the 18 schools in the Springfield City School District to conduct security sweeps before and after school, with additional presence throughout the day.
Springfield, a city of approximately 60,000 people located 45 miles from Columbus, has seen an increase in Haitian immigrants who have filled job vacancies in local factories and warehouses. The sudden influx has posed challenges to the city’s resources, including schools and healthcare facilities, while also impacting housing prices.
State police were observed at a Springfield middle school on Tuesday morning, as students arrived for classes. The ongoing presence of law enforcement aims to ensure the safety and security of the school community amid the targeted threats.
