Anyone who was on campus on March 4th, when an anonymous bomb threat was called in, can attest to the fear they felt when the lockdown was announced. For many, though, it probably wasn’t as shocking as it should be. This is the first bomb threat that Saint Stephen’s has suffered since 2006, but for some schools, the threats happen far too often.

Although many threats turn out to be false alarms, there can be no other reaction that fully taking them seriously.  According to the U.S. Bomb Data Center, in 2023, schools and universities received over 1,123 threats.

The spike in incidents became readily apparent in 2016, when incidents of bomb threats in schools had increased by 106% from November 2011, but at this point, the trend seems out of control. Locally, it seems to happen far too often.

Add to that the rising presence of shooting threats, which is also trending upwards.  There were 124 reported school shootings in the United States. It jumped to 256 in 2021, then it spiked to an all-time high of 341 shooting incidents in 2023.

This means that not only is there something driving these spikes in irrationality and violence, but we must also be on watch for signs of this behavior and be prepared.

There isn’t much research yet on the pathology behind those who send bomb threats. However, this outline, researched and completed by the U.S. Secret Service, highlights some of the patterns and behaviors repeated by the investigated attackers, such as a history of violence, abusiveness to animals and peers, and/or aggressive responses towards rejection.

So what can we do? First, be prepared. It’s sad, but that’s our reality. When a lockdown or Code Red is announced, listen to the adults in the room. Stay quiet and follow the instructions given. Once it ends, avoid over-speculation.

Spreading rumors and unfounded theories only causes confusion. Instead, listen to official sources such as administration, teachers, and officers for information. It’s okay to be curious, but understand that these situations are both delicate and serious.

Also, try your best to be there for those around you. Circumstances like these mentioned are emotionally traumatizing, both during and after the fact. Don’t be afraid to reach out to trusted adults or friends if you feel overwhelmed.