People watch Springfield Police Department officers investigate Springfield City Hall after a bomb threat was made to a building early September 12, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio.
Roberto Schmidt | AFP | Getty Images
Ohio police will conduct daily sweeps of Springfield schools as authorities were forced to investigate “at least 33” bomb threats that prompted evacuations and temporary building closures, Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday.
“As classes continue in Springfield schools this week, we want to make sure parents feel confident that schools are, in fact, safe,” the Republican governor said at a news conference.
DeWine said every bomb threat was a hoax and had “no basis at all.”
Springfield became a national concern after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, repeatedly spread baseless accusations that Haitian immigrants stole and ate city residents’ pets. Spokesperson for debate.
Vance first promoted the baseless rumor in a Sept. 9 post on X, but Trump amplified the claim a day later during the first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris .
Springfield officials, including Mayor Rob Rew and local police, have denied the claims and said there are no credible reports that Haitian immigrants in the city have stolen or eaten pets.
Local health officials also deny that the influx of Haitian immigrants into the city is causing an increase in “infectious diseases” – another claim Vance made.
“It’s complete nonsense, it’s just not true. There’s just no evidence of that,” DeWine said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”
bomb threat This was later proven false and has since forced the evacuation and closure of schools and government buildings in Springfield, including City Hall. Threats also targeted local universities and a hospital.
Ohio Highway Patrol field unit members will clear school buildings in Springfield every morning and evening starting Tuesday, and police will remain on campus during the school day, the governor said.
DeWine said on Monday that the threats were made by non-U.S. actors.
“Unfortunately, we have people who are taking these actions, but unfortunately overseas. Some of them are from a particular country,” he said, without specifying which country he was referring to. “We see this as another opportunity to piss off America, and they’re continuing to do it. So we can’t let the bad guys succeed.”
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