The V.I. Police Department and the V.I. Department of Education are working together to respond to a string of bomb threats that have disrupted schools across the territory in recent days, the VIPD made known via release Wednesday.
Officials say the repeated threats have caused significant alarm and disruption for students, teachers, and staff members, prompting a coordinated response from territorial and federal law enforcement agencies.
Police Commissioner Mario Brooks confirmed that investigators are treating each incident with the highest level of seriousness. “The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) is working in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Justice,” he said. “We will leave no stone unturned, and we will hold accountable those individuals who engage in these reckless and malicious acts.”
As of Wednesday, bomb threats had been reported at Lockhart K-8 School, Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS), Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, Edith Williams Alternative Academy, and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School. According to police, all of the affected schools have since been cleared by the VIPD and the FBI.
Authorities also confirmed that Lockhart K-8 School and Charlotte Amalie High School were previously targeted on November 7 and November 10, marking at least five separate incidents within a week.
Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington said the ongoing disruptions have deeply affected students and staff. “The series of threats that have been made to our school campuses are deeply troubling and have been extremely disruptive to our student’s learning environments,” she said. “When these incidents occur, our school officials and monitors work immediately to activate the necessary safety and security protocols.”
She said the department remains focused on ensuring student safety and accountability for those responsible. “We are committed to our students’ safety and are working diligently to ensure they can receive the education they deserve, without further interruption,” Wells-Hedrington said. “This includes completing the necessary investigations and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. It is my hope that the guilty parties will be held accountable for their behavior.”
Commissioner Brooks urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior. “Parents, students, school staff and all community members [must] remain vigilant. If you hear or see anything suspicious, report it immediately to the VIPD or any school administrator,” he said. “Your timely information can make the difference. At the same time, I urge calm and cooperation — our children must not bear the burden of fear because of someone’s reckless act.”
Addressing those behind the threats directly, Brooks issued a firm warning. “To the perpetrators: know this — we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Our schools will remain safe, our students will continue to learn, and our community will not be intimidated,” he said.
Both the VIPD and VIDE said they will continue working with their federal partners to ensure safety at all educational facilities across the territory. Anyone with information about the threats is urged to contact the VIPD at (340) 774-2211, 911, or reach Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
British Caribbean News
