2d bomb threat in week at Glouco school draws police warning

After investigating the second bomb threat in a week at Clearview Regional High School, police say they plan to charge whoever is responsible - and they say they suspect the culprit is a student - for the cost of the response.

Harrison Township Police Lt. Ronald Cundey estimated that the penalty could be more than $1,000, and parents would be liable, he said.

"We would absolutely go after them for the fees that are incurred," Cundey said.

On Tuesday six police dogs - some brought in from nearby towns - searched the school as students were evacuated. All six officers on duty at Cundey's department also reported to the scene. Had a 911 call come in, officers from another town likely would have had to respond, Cundey said.

"That's the problem with these types of situations where you have everybody tied up," he said.

The threat, just like the one last Wednesday, turned out to be a dud.

In both cases, a handwritten note was discovered in a classroom at the school, on Breakneck Road in Mullica Hill. Cundey said he was unsure whether students or faculty found the notes, which he said had vague, "short one-liners" indicating a bomb threat.

Police responded to Tuesday's threat around 11:30 a.m. Officers also investigated last Wednesday's threat shortly before noon, Cundey said. Students were evacuated from the school for about two hours in each case.

Police, Cundey said, are working with school administrators to see if any student's handwriting matches the notes, though no arrests have been made.

Cundey said the student or students responsible could be charged with creating a false public alarm.

On the school's website, officials left this message: "We will do everything possible to identify and prosecute the person or people involved in this threat."

Superintendent John Horchak III, reached by phone, declined to comment until the investigation is over.

The recent problems are not the first to draw police to Clearview this school year.

In December, Clearview went on lockdown after a janitor found a .22-caliber bullet on the ground in the parking lot. No one was charged, and Cundey said there appeared to be no connection between that incident and the bomb threats.

Cundey said he believed the department made the guilty party pay the cost of police response several years ago when an individual made a false threat. He offered no further details.

Clearview has 1,600 students, according to the school's website.