“.. after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, repeatedly spread baseless claims about Haitian immigrants ..”@CNBC #Springfield https://t.co/bSOO0mkBHW pic.twitter.com/T3v3JSOdiw
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) September 16, 2024
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is sending state troopers to Springfield to ensure the safety of schools after a series of bomb threats. The city has received 33 threats targeting schools, City Hall, and two hospitals since former President Donald Trump spread a baseless rumor about Haitian immigrants in Springfield during a recent presidential debate. Governor DeWine emphasized that none of the threats had any validity but acknowledged their significant impact on the community and the disruption caused to thousands of students.
He stated, “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.”
SPRINGFIELD MAYOR: “.. All these federal politicians that have negatively spun our city, they need to know they're hurting our city, and it was their words that did it.”#SpringfieldOhio https://t.co/Sf1zLVvy9z pic.twitter.com/cyp1Xsst1p
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) September 14, 2024
Starting Tuesday, 36 state troopers will be stationed at all 17 school buildings in Springfield.
.@JDVance, you must be so proud of the attention your made up stories have brought to your home state.
Parents frantically rushing to pick up their kids due to threats of violence that you fueled.
I feel sorry for your family that you represent them.https://t.co/6fFHsyFCOw
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) September 16, 2024
They will conduct sweeps before classes start and provide security throughout the day. The threats follow unfounded allegations made by Trump, claiming Haitian immigrants in the city are stealing and eating local pets. Students at Simon Kenton and Kenwood Elementary Schools were evacuated “to an alternate district location” based on information from the city’s police.
The Springfield City School District explained that these were the fifth and sixth buildings targeted by such threats within the last week.
Springfield schools receive bomb threats
Separate threats prompted Wittenberg University and Clark State College to hold classes remotely.
Though most threats have been resolved, both universities have increased campus patrols and taken measures out of caution. Governor DeWine denied the false claims about Haitian immigrants and emphasized their importance to the local economy. Approximately 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants live in Clark County, many legally present through a parole program.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office debunked allegations that Haitians were stealing geese from local parks. After reviewing 11 months of 911 records, only two instances were reported with no evidence found to substantiate the claims. Springfield’s population has grown by 25% in the past three years, partly due to the influx of Haitian immigrants.
Mayor Rob Rue requested additional funding to improve language services in local healthcare and denounced rumors of immigrants harming pets. He stated, “Your pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio. It’s odd that I even have to tell the national media, but it is a fact.”
- NYTimes.”Ohio Governor Sending State Police to Springfield After Rash of Bomb Scares”.
- CNN.”Troopers to patrol schools in Springfield, Ohio, after threats linked to false claims about Haitian immigrants”.
- Yahoo.”Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, say they fear for their safety amid Trump and Vance’s false claims”.