School Lockdown Due to Hoax Threat
Threat at Hialeah High School Appears to be a Hoax
The latest school to be victimized by a hoax threat is Hialeah Senior High School. On Monday, the school was placed on a code red lockdown around 11 a.m. after Miami-Dade Schools Police received a threat that there were bombs inside the school and an armed person on campus.
Students and Parents React to the Threat
The lockdown led to a familiar scene, with anxious parents waiting outside, helicopters overhead, dozens of police officers searching the building, and students inside fearing the worst. Senior Brenda Mirabet, who was at the school during the lockdown, described her experience: "I was terrified, I was really scared, I was really, really scared. I’m so happy to be with my family right now."
Parents Wait Outside for Information
While the lockdown was in progress, hundreds of parents and guardians gathered outside, waiting for information. Bryan Blanco, a parent, was getting text messages from his nephew, a freshman, who was inside the school. "He’s super scared, they were all in one angle of the class, the teacher said don’t move, don’t do anything, so I was very worried, I thought it was a real situation," Blanco said.
Students Share Their Experiences
Senior Ady Ruiz-Devilla was among the students who left early after police cleared the school. She described her experience: "Then they told us to close off the doors, shut out the lights. It was very scary." When asked about people who make prank threats against schools, she said: "I think that a person like that should be in just as much trouble as a person who meant it because that creates a lot of fear and is something very stupid to do."
Police Pledge to Prosecute the Perpetrator
Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ivan Silva emphasized that if they catch the person who made the threat, they will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. "They’re not harmless pranks, these are real crimes that have real consequences. These calls disrupt our learning environment, they disrupt everything at the school and they exhaust resources, unnecessary, for no reason when they can be used somewhere else if needed," he said.
Consequences of Making False Threats
Making false threats against a school is a felony, and adults can face up to five years in prison. For children, making threats online or by phone can result in prosecution and expulsion from school. In the Hialeah case, police are still investigating and do not yet have anyone in custody.
FAQs
Q: What happened at Hialeah Senior High School?
A: The school was placed on a code red lockdown after a hoax threat was made, claiming there were bombs inside the school and an armed person on campus.
Q: How did students and parents react?
A: Students were kept inside the school, while parents and guardians gathered outside, waiting for information. Many were anxious and scared, fearing the worst.
Q: What is the punishment for making false threats against a school?
A: Making false threats against a school is a felony, and adults can face up to five years in prison. Children making threats online or by phone can be prosecuted and expelled from school.
