Schools and law enforcement across California are on heightened alert following increased threats against campuses over the past eight days. The calls have rattled students, parents, and educators, prompting lockdowns, evacuations, and increased police responses across multiple cities.
Below is a list of some of the incidents reported around the state in recent days:
Wednesday, January 28: Jenny Lind Elementary School in Valley Springs was forced to evacuate due to a bomb threat. The man who made the threat was later taken into custody and said he was angry about noise emanating from the school’s PA system.
Wednesday, January 28: An anonymous bomb threat was received against Yorba Linda High School, prompting a shelter-in-place order.
Thursday, January 29: A bomb threat was made against Redwood High School in Larkspur, forcing an evacuation. The campus was later deemed safe and an investigation into the threat is underway.
Monday, February 2: Alameda High School students were ordered to shelter in place after administrators received a threatening phone call about a “suspicious” device in the school parking lot. Police arrived on scene but did not find any device.
Monday, February 2: Police announced there had been a bomb threat made against Santa Monica High School over the weekend. A search of the campus was conducted and no devices were found.
Tuesday, February 3: Marina High School in Huntington Beach was ordered to shelter in place due to a threat of an unknown nature.
Tuesday, February 3: Tehachapi police announced a reported school shooting threat had been investigated and was determined to be unfounded.
Tuesday, February 3: The Bakersfield College Panorama Campus was placed on lockdown due to an anonymous bomb threat.
None of the recent threats resulted in physical harm, and most were deemed not credible. However, every threat forces schools and police departments to mobilize local resources, while disrupting learning and exacting an emotional toll.
As investigations continue, school officials across California are warning families not to become complacent. All suspicious activity and threats — even probable pranks — should continue to be reported immediately.