Bangor Police: Lockdown At Maine High School Due To Swat Hoax

Many folks began their Friday morning stressed-out due to hazardous weather conditions that caused schools across Eastern Maine to implement 2-hour start delays. But folks in Bangor had their stress compounded this morning when a local High School went into lockdown just before lunchtime.

According to the Bangor Police Department, dispatchers received an "unconfirmed threat," which prompted immediate action by authorities. An emergency plan was activated, and officers were dispatched to the school. A major police presence was established at the school as the Bangor PD investigated the threat. They asked the public to stay away from the area until they were able to determine the credibility of the

Director of Community Outreach and Safety, Ray Phinney, says the entire school went into a "Hold Action."

"Bangor High School was placed in Hold from 11:30 am to 12:46 pm due to a threat that was called into the Bangor Police Department. As a precaution, students and staff were asked to remain in their classrooms in order to keep the hallways empty. Bathroom breaks were facilitated for students in small groups."

Phinney said that classroom learning was still taking place throughout this time.

By 1:00 PM, Bangor Police were able to determine that the threat that had been called in was part of a hoax.

According to BPD's Public Information Officer, "The threat at Bangor High School has been determined to be a hoax ‘swatting’ call. Bangor Police responded to Bangor High School shortly after 11:00 a.m. after a call was received be a person threatening to shoot people and detonate a bomb in the school. The high school followed their emergency procedures until police were able to search the school and determine there was no threat."

McAmbley said that while a majority of the Bangor Police Department personnel were called off from the scene, some remained on site to continue collecting information. He said the incident is still under active investigation.