Third bomb threat received at Martin County High School | Martin County

MARTIN COUNTY – Martin County High School received a bomb threat at about 3 p.m., on Sept. 19 – the third such threat this month, its principal said.

The threat was received through the school’s FortifyFL reporting system, Lori Vogel, principal, said in a Facebook posting.

“Today’s report referenced two specific buildings, requiring both buildings to be evacuated while law enforcement conducted a thorough search. Students and staff were relocated to other areas of campus during the response,” she said in the posting.

On Sept. 14, students and staff were evacuated after a bomb threat was received via email.

On Sept. 10, the first such threat was received via email, causing evacuation of students and staff.

In a message sent to families, all buildings were evacuated at the direction of law enforcement while the threat was being investigated.

“Every threat must be taken seriously. Each report generates a significant law enforcement response, disrupts instruction, displaces students and staff, and creates understandable concern throughout our school community,” Vogel wrote in the Facebook posting. “Unlike many situations that may require an emergency response, the behavior prompting these repeated disruptions is entirely avoidable. It cannot continue.”

Vogel urged cooperation from parents by asking them to speak to their children about the seriousness and the consequences of either making or participating in a threat that turns out to be false.

“FortifyFL is an important safety resource. Students and families who become aware of a credible threat — or who have a legitimate reason to believe questionable, dangerous or criminal activity may be occurring — should continue to report that information through FortifyFL,” she wrote. “Information about submitting a report is available on our school’s and the School District’s websites.”

FortifyFL is a “suspicious activity” reporting app which allows users to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials, according to its web site.

“However, FortifyFL must never be used to submit information that someone knows to be false. The District has zero tolerance for anyone who knowingly misuses the platform or participates in making a false threat. Any individual found responsible will face severe school disciplinary consequences and potential criminal charges,” she wrote.

She concluded by saying, “we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing that false threats are neither harmless nor funny. They place an unacceptable burden on students, employees, families, law enforcement and the broader community—and they must stop.”