OC Schools Locked Down During Bomb Threats

LADERA RANCH, CA - On Thursday, schools across Orange County and southern California received a wave of emailed bomb threats, part of a national hoax, officials have said. In Orange County, two schools were affected in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Chaparral Elementary School in Ladera Ranch and Ambuehl Elementary school of San Juan Capistrano also received the same threat just before 10:30 a.m.

The schools were told to shelter in place roughly 30 minutes or less, according to Ryan Burris, spokesperson for Capistrano Unified School District.

Schools will typically shelter in place in such circumstances of a bomb threat, Burris told us. Often, that is the safest thing for the children while officials figure out how to best resolve the threat if there is one.

Many parents disagreed, both on social media and in email to Patch editors.

"We are just a sleepy little school in the middle of Mommy-ville USA," a concerned parent told us. "Hearing a bomb threat and knowing my child was inside was just devastating."
According to one mother, it was not until hours later that parents received the emailed explanation from the Chaparral principal.

"The email was almost too non-alarming," the parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told Patch. "To think my child sheltered in place from a bomb threat while I was going about my day not knowing makes me sick to my stomach. I feel parents should have been notified immediately."

Patch has reached out to Orange County Sheriff's Department for further information and will update this report when it is received.

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Good Afternoon Champion families,

This morning, Chaparral received a bomb threat via email, along with several other school sites and government agencies across the State and nation.

The school immediately contacted law enforcement and implemented shelter in place procedures. Soon afterwards, OCSD determined the threat to be a hoax and Chaparral began normal operations.

Chaparral takes all threats to the safety of the students and staff seriously. However, at no point were any students in danger. Chaparral appreciates the professionalism of the staff and students during the incident.

Additionally, the school thanks the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for their professionalism and dedication to keep Chaparral safe. Please know that Capistrano Unified School District has plans and preparations for emergency situations.

To ensure the greatest security possible, all schools have specific plans to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters (earthquakes, high winds, etc.), man-made disasters (fires, chemical spills, etc.), and critical incidents such as an incidence of school violence or threats.

These plans are updated at least yearly. Additionally, situations such as these are an important reminder about having updated contact information.

In the event of a significant campus situation or emergency, CUSD would utilize our emergency district communication systems that includes email blasts and automated phone calls. Our ability to effectively communicate with each of our families in an emergency is completely dependent on accurate parent portal information.

Please review and update your information including email, phone numbers, and emergency contacts.

Sincerely,

Melissa Schaefer Principal

Photo, Patch Staff