Acushnet Schools Evacuated, Bomb Threat Later Deemed a Hoax

ACUSHNET (WBSM) — Acushnet’s two schools were swept by police after the school district received an emailed bomb threat over the weekend.

It was later determined that the bomb threat was a hoax.

Acushnet Superintendent of Schools Paula Bailey received an emailed bomb threat on Saturday afternoon, which came through a contact form on the school district’s website. Bailey then notified Acushnet Police Chief Christopher Richmond and School Resource Officer Derek Cathcart of the threat.

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The two schools – Acushnet Elementary School and Ford Middle School – were then evacuated. In a joint release, Bailey and Richmond said at the time, the only people working in either school were custodial staff and employees of ServPro, which was performing a deep clean of the elementary school.

Acushnet Police launched an investigation and with K-9 units from the Massachusetts State Police and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office performed a full sweep of both buildings, which they said revealed nothing suspicious.

“It was determined that the email was a hoax, mirroring countless other threats received by school districts around the nation recently,” the release stated.

“Unfortunately, these kinds of anonymous email threats have become far too common nationally, but we continue to take every threat seriously and respond in a consistent manner,” Chief Richmond said.

While police determined there is no danger, there will be an increased police presence on campus Monday, when classes are expected to resume after the Thanksgiving break. The cleaning at the elementary school also resumed on Saturday.

Police have determined that there is no danger, but out of an abundance of caution, families, students, faculty and staff may notice an increased police presence on campus Monday.

“We are grateful to Chief Richmond and their law enforcement partners for their prompt and efficient response this weekend,” Superintendent Bailey said. “We followed our district's safety protocols, and as always we take every threat seriously. The safety of our schools is paramount.”