SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has authorized that a contingent of troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol be sent to the Springfield School District after a series of unfounded bomb threats.

What You Need To Know

  • All 18 buildings in the district will now be protected by OSHP’s Mobile Field Force

  • Thirty-six troopers will be stationed throughout the Springfield City School District
  • They will sweep each building for threats and ensure that students and faculty are safe

  • The Ohio Department of Public Safety has also arranged for bomb detection dogs to be stationed in Springfield each day

All 17 buildings in the district will now be protected by OSHP’s Mobile Field Force. 

“Many of these threats are coming in from overseas, made by those who want to fuel the current discord surrounding Springfield. We cannot let the bad guys win,” said DeWine in a news release. “We must take every threat seriously, but children deserve to be in school, and parents deserve to know that their kids are safe. The added security will help ease some of the fears caused by these hoaxes.” 

Thirty-six troopers will be stationed throughout the Springfield City School District. The troopers will be on-site in marked OSHP vehicles before, during and after school hours.

Troopers will also sweep the buildings before school and after and address any potential threats beginning Tuesday, Sept. 17.

“None of the threats that have come in to Springfield to date have been legitimate. We’re doing this purely as a precaution to prevent further disruption within the Springfield City School District,” said DeWine. 

The Ohio Department of Public Safety has also arranged for bomb detection dogs to be stationed in Springfield each day. 

“Our students, staff and school community do not deserve to have their daily schedules disrupted by senseless threats of violence,” said SCSD Superintendent Bob Hill in a news release. “We appreciate the support of the State of Ohio, our parents, and the Springfield community. Together, we will work to deploy the needed resources to keep our schools safe and ensure that our students receive the education that they deserve. Better days are ahead for our Wildcat Family.”

The city has been in the national spotlight following unsubstantiated social media reports of Haitian immigrants stealing and eating people’s pets, a topic that also came up at last week's presidential debate.

Related Stories