UPDATED: CJHS evacuated second time in two weeks

See Crime Stoppers release

Katy O'Grady-Pyne
Posted 5/13/19

CLINTON — Clinton Junior High School was evacuated about 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, for the second time in as many weeks due to another threat written on a bathroom wall.

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UPDATED: CJHS evacuated second time in two weeks

See Crime Stoppers release

Posted

CLINTON — Clinton Junior High School was evacuated about 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, for the second time in as many weeks due to another threat written on a bathroom wall.
CJHS Principal Josh Maxwell sent a mass voice message to parents and guardians informing them of the school's evacuation and explaining how the school implemented a sign out policy for students to use the restroom since the initial threat two weeks ago. 
When asked if there were any leads on who might be making the threats, Superintendent Curt Nettles said he couldn't comment because it is an ongoing investigation.
Students were back in classrooms less than 30 minutes after the threat was discovered, according to Nettles. 
Nettles said the district is taking the threats seriously and will press criminal charges. Nettles believes the threats are from students who are seeking attention. "Students misbehave because they want attention," he said. 
Nettles asked parents to talk to their students and "if they are aware of information that could help pinpoint (the culprit) please come forward. That's the best way to solve these issues."

Crime Stoppers    

The Clinton Police Department is seeking your help and information in solving a bomb threat that was reported from the Clinton Jr. High School.    

     On May 14 2019, the Clinton Police Department responded to the Clinton Jr. High School located at 701 Illini Dr. regarding a threat that was scrawled on a bathroom wall indicating there was a bomb in the building.

     In response to this threat, all students and staff were immediately evacuated.  The Clinton Police Department along with school officials conducted a thorough search of the building and ultimately deemed it safe for students to return to the learning environment after no explosive device was located.   This most recent event comes on the heels of a previous bomb threat that was reported from the Clinton Jr. High only eight days prior.

     Transmitting a bomb threat is a felony crime. These incidents are taken very seriously with the ultimate goal being to ensure that no valid threat ever goes unnoticed.  Any person or persons convicted of transmitting a bomb threat will face dire consequences and could be charged with a class 3 felony. Agencies expend considerable man hours and defendants can also be ordered to incur the considerable costs for what many times is a lengthy investigation while trying to determine if a true and credible threat exists.

      Crimestoppers may pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 when a felony arrest is made as a result of information that you have provided.  Anyone with any information regarding this threat or any other crimes or wanted fugitives is asked to contact the Clinton Area Crime stoppers at 217-935-3333.

Remember as always; our phone line is not recorded and does not utilize caller identification.

 We don’t want your name, just your information.