PRESS RELEASE
January 27, 2015
Florence School District One and FCSO Respond to Bomb Threat
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Florence Police Department and Florence School District One responded to a bomb threat at a local high school earlier today. The threat, directed at West Florence High School was deemed credible based upon the manner in which it was received. Early this morning before any students, faculty or staff arrived, the school was thoroughly searched by explosive detecting canines. No explosives were detected. In addition, all staff, faculty and student’s backpacks were subjected to a free air sniff by explosive detecting canines. No explosives were detected.
Over 1800 student backpacks were sniffed by the canines in approximately one hour, with minimal delay to the school day. In addition to explosive sniffing canines from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, canines from the Horry County Police Department, State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the U.S. Marshals Service also assisted.
“When it comes to the safety and security of our children, we don’t take chances,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. “In addition, we are following leads to track down the source of the threat, and if apprehended, we will prosecute subjects to the fullest extent of the law. FCSO and Florence School District One have a long history of cooperation, which was evident in the response to this incident.”
END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
