The San Benito High School campus was locked down Tuesday morning for a suspected bomb threat – a day after an evacuation following a similar threat.
Police canceled the lockdown at about 12:20 p.m. Tuesday. That second bomb threat in 24 hours came as the school planned to conduct a “code red” emergency drill that had been scheduled for noon Tuesday.
Instead, the school on Monterey Street went into lockdown mode at about 10 a.m. after receiving the second bomb threat.
There was an evacuation Monday afternoon as well. It started at about 3:30 p.m., when police responded to a similar bomb threat and ensured the campus was safe.
School officials released a statement after the lockdown was canceled. The school confirmed the two bomb threats occurred and that authorities are continuing to investigate.
San Benito High officials have been communicating with local families through its automated phone dialer system, the statement noted.
“We are grateful to all staff members, law enforcement, and our parents who all responded with a calm, positive demeanor,” it read.
Police at 11:40 a.m. released the following statement:
“The San Benito High School is on lockdown due to another bomb threat. Hollister Police Department, San Benito County Sheriff and high school staff are checking the school at this time.
It should be noted that nothing has been found and parents are asked to not respond to the school at this time. The safety check is for precaution only.
More information will follow as the check is completed.”
Interim Police Chief David Westrick at about 11:50 a.m. Tuesday said he expected police to complete the examination – and clear the campus as safe – within about 20 minutes.
School administrators, incidentally, had planned that “code red” drill for Tuesday at noon. It involves working with local law enforcement agencies to practice emergency procedures on campus. Administrators had sent a notification to the Free Lance last week to alert nearby residents that sirens would be going off at noon.
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