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Bomb threat causes lockdown

Justin Reash, For The Miami Student

Law enforcement units from Miami University, Middletown and Cincinnati were called to Talawanda High School to enforce a lockdown after a bomb threat was received on a secretary's voicemail March 25.

According to superintendent Phil Cagwin, the threat was left by a young-sounding voice.

"After a thorough examination of the school, we decided it was a prank and returned students to their classes around 11:30," Cagwin said.

Cagwin said they had reason to believe the call was made by a student.

"There were recent disciplinary actions taken by the assistant principal and that's who they thought it was leaving the message because the voice was young," Cagwin said.

According to Cagwin, the high school has a district crisis plan for these situations, which was developed in coordination with the Oxford Police Department and state organizations.

"Initially, we search the gym before any other room," Cagwin said. "After that we move the students into the gym and work our way through each classroom." In a school of over 1,000 students, news of the threat spread quickly. Cagwin believes students contacted their parents through text messages.

"After talking with our people, I think the parents handled the situation very well," Cagwin said.

This was the first threat on the school in many years and it is quite uncommon for a bomb threat to be reported in the community of Oxford.

"We haven't had one in the four years I have been here, but we have to take them all seriously," Cagwin said.

Cagwin said he was impressed by the response time and professionalism of the law enforcement departments involved.

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"The K9 units from Miami, Middletown and Cincinnati were absolutely efficient and it was extremely encouraging to see that with our capacities," Cagwin said.

Miami senior Nick Webber believes serious events like these are to be expected in all high school communities.

"Obviously a bomb threat is to be taken very seriously," Webber said. "However, a serious event like this should be expected periodically by people living in the immediate area of the school."

The news of the threat didn't seem as common to Miami junior Emily Cameron.

"Considering that Oxford is a small community I am alarmed that such a serious incident like a bomb threat occurred," Cameron said.