Aransas Pass high school pushes safety after bomb threat
Aransas Pass schools plan to bring in more officers and make other security changes after a series of threats to the high school and an elementary school in the district.
The high school was evacuated on Feb. 23 after a bomb threat was discovered written on a wall. That followed two other threats at Charlie Marshall Elementary School in recent days.
Joey Fuentes, whose daughter attends school in Aransas Pass, frantically parked and ran to his daughter, who was waiting outside the school, to give her a hug after hearing about the threat.
“The one place our children are suppose to be safe and now I have to be concerned about school threats. … I hope whoever is behind all the school threats realize the hurt and pain they’re causing these children.”
Aransas Pass police, who are still investigating the threats, has approved additional overtime for officers to patrol schools, according to Chief Eric Blanchard.
Blanchard said a workshop is also in the works for residents to speak on the matter and come up with ideas to keep it from happening again.
Wayne Bennett, principal of Aransas Pass High School, said he had no update on the person or people responsible for the threats, which were determined to be a hoax.
“Our main focus is the safety of our students and we will continue to monitor schools here and out till we find the person/persons responsible,” Bennett said.
Crime Stoppers is offereing a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Call 361-758-TIPS to help; callers can remain anonymous. The Aransas Pass police Department can be reached at 361-758-5224.
