Bomb threat hoax disrupts campus

by Chelsea Baham, staff writer

It seems as though the question of safety on school campuses across the nation is a constant issue in today’s society. However, no one ever expects for something tragic to hit close to home. 

On the morning of, March 11, South Plains College got a scary wake-up call. A bomb threat was first called into the Levelland Police Department at 9:06 a.m. A second call followed at 9:35a.m. According to Dane Dewbre, associate dean of college relations, the threat specifically targeted three buildings, the Administration Building, Technical Arts Center, and Science Building.

Students, faculty, and staff in those areas were evacuated around 9:40 a.m.  When asked about the situation, Nikki Nelson, a second-semester student at SPC, responded, “We were in class taking a test when our teacher told us to get out of the building fast. When we got outside, someone made an announcement that classes were closed until further notice because of a bomb threat.”

Lubbock County Bomb Squad members responded quickly, taking the threats very seriously.  After everyone evacuated the three buildings, police officials searched each with bomb sniffing K-9 dogs until all were cleared.

 Classes were cancelled in the buildings specified in the threat. Re-entry was not allowed college administration received notification from law enforcement officials.  The buildings immediately next to the targeted buildings were also closed down during the searching.  Signs were posted on doors to inform students.  Police cars were set in place to barricade the streets along side of the buildings to keep other cars from driving too close.