to keep area schools safe

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

May 27, 2000 11 PM

Schools will sound the last dismissal bell Thursday and, in the meantime, officials are working to ensure there are no end-of-the-year problems.

As school officials do what they can to keep everyone busy and out of trouble, law enforcement officers are standing by to watch.

Deputies with the Pike County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Troy Police Department are patrolling, not only the roadways, but campuses, as well.

Sheriff Russell Thomas has placed deputies at Goshen Elementary and High Schools after a rumor of a threat surfaced several days ago.

Thomas said three students were interviewed and "no foundations" to the rumors were found. He did not elaborate on what kind of threat was made.

"It’s just a precaution," Thomas said of having deputies on campus at this time.

Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage said "it’s not unusual" to have officers assigned to school campuses this time of the year.

"As a precaution, we usually do it," Everage said.

So far, the city schools have had not reported problems.

"We hope it stays quiet," Everage said.

Both said all threats, whether they involve a bomb or not, are taken seriously.

As of March, any individual found to make a bomb threat is charged with a Class C felony, punishable by a maximum of a year in jail and $2,000 fine to 10 years in prison with a $5,000 fine attached.