FBI Investigating String Of Bomb Threats At Mass. High Schools
WESTWOOD (CBS) – A series of high school bomb threats is causing concern around New England. Police and the FBI are now investigating if the threats are coming from overseas.
The FBI has the technical expertise needed to track down where the threats are coming from. Some of the threats have been phoned in, but other times they were in email form.
At Westwood High, the focus Monday night was field hockey and the score against Norwood, but for the parents on the sidelines that was not the only concern.
"Hopefully it stops because it is upsetting, it is alarming," said Regina Leonard, a Westwood parent.
In Westwood, there have been three bomb threats since Friday; two at Xaverian Brothers High School and one at Westwood High.
It's concerning now for local police all over the state.
"This is an extremely serious crime, regardless of whether the culprit is 15 or 16 and completely disorganized or 35-years-old and part of a complex organization," Westwood Police Chief Jeffrey Silva said.
Chief Silva says they still don't know but what's getting everyone's attention is just how many threats there have been. From Westwood and Bedford, Mass. to Bedford, New Hampshire and Winchester High, one after the other and on a daily basis.
"For the children's perspective, I think it's a little unsettling it's a little alarming given what's going on in the world," Leonard said.
"Our state of awareness is elevated, and we're working together to make sure the whole region is safe," Arlington Police Chief Fred Ryan said.
Chiefs all over the state are now working together. They have brought in the FBI, ATF and State Police.
They are taking a look at the technology and where these threatening emails are coming from whether it's local or from much further away.
"While it is a drain on our resources, it's not something we take lightly and I know every chief throughout the region is concerned and we are all working very closely together," Chief Ryan said.
Police won't give specifics on where there investigation is leading them, but they do say no children have ever been in danger.
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