Teen
charged with bomb scare
Saturday, October 02, 2004 • By EILEEN
HOLLIDAY • The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG -- Police arrested a 15-year-old boy Friday
and charged him with two counts of making false public
alarms at the high school.
Police said a message was found at 8:37 a.m. Friday
written on the wall of a boy's bathroom on the first floor
of the high school indicating the school would be blown up
at 10:30 a.m.
Director of Security James P. Stettner said the school
was immediately evacuated Friday.
The charges stem from the investigation into a
communication that was found at the high school Wednesday
and Friday's incident. Police arrested the 15-year-old
freshman at 11:19 a.m. Friday.
"I am hoping the arrest sends a message," Stettner said.
"We had several bomb scares last year, and the individuals
were arrested and incarcerated. I hope the message goes out
to the kids that we are taking these very seriously. It not
only affects the students and the day but the families as
well. I hope they think twice before they try it
again."
Superintendent Gordon Pethick said when Wednesday's
communication was found, the appropriate action was taken to
ensure the safety of the students. Unlike Friday, the school
was not evacuated Wednesday.
"Bomb scares and other disruptions hurt the educational
process," Pethick said. "We will use whatever resources
possible to prosecute the individual. This is a very serious
matter."
The juvenile is being held in Warren Acres detention
center.
Officials said Friday there is no reason to believe that
Wednesday and Friday's incidents at the high school are
related to the Sept. 22 evacuation of the Green Street
School or Tuesday's evacuation of the middle school.
New Jersey Editor Eileen Holliday can be reached at
610-258-7171 or by e-mail at
eholliday@express-times.com.
Copyright 2004 The
Express-Times. Used with permission.
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