Harford County Stays Vigilant, Cancels Field Trips after Boston Bombings

Many Harford County students scheduled for field trips Tuesday stayed at school instead, as a precautionary measure after Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Fourth graders from Forest Lakes were bound for Washington, D.C.; the eighth grade at Bel Air Middle School was scheduled to visit Aberdeen Proving Ground; and Harford Technical High students planned to travel to New York. All three of those trips were cancelled, Teri Kranefeld, Harford County Public Schools spokeswoman, told Patch Tuesday.

"The cancellation of these activities is precautionary as the details regarding the Boston Marathon incident are still under investigation," the school system posted on its website.

On April 15, three people were killed and more than 100 injured after two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, according to Fenway-Kenmore Patch in Massachusetts.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, agencies around the country were placed on alert.

County Executive David Craig said that Harford County was no exception. "The Harford County Department of Emergency Services, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and our municipal, state and federal law enforcement partners are working cooperatively to ensure public safety in this great county," Craig said Tuesday.

Sheriff Jesse Bane said that though there was not any imminent threat to Harford County, "...that doesn't mean we should let our guard down.".

Maryland State Police issued a statement indicating it would conduct patrol checks around what it called "critical infrastructure."

Officials are still working to determine who is responsible for the violent act in Boston, according to Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, who represents Harford County and serves on the House Select Intelligence Committee.

"There are no suspects, based on what I have been briefed on," Ruppersberger said during an interview on WBAL Radio. "We're making a determination as to whether or not this was a domestic situation like the Oklahoma [City] bombing or whether it's an international incident."

See Related:

• Sheriff: No Security Threat to Harford
• Havre de Grace Grad Reflects after Finishing Boston Marathon

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