February 14, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
Shortly after 11:30 a.m. today, Feb. 14, Hingham High School became “the latest target of hoax threats, similar to those made nationwide during the past two days,” according to an email sent to the HHS community by Principal Rick Swanson around noontime.
According to a Hingham Police Department News Flash, an individual called the South Shore Regional Dispatch Center — which serves Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, and Norwell — and “threatened to shoot people in the high school.”
Several officers, who were already positioned nearby due to the area threats, immediately searched in the school and surrounding area. They determined the threat was unfounded and a hoax. “Officers will maintain an extra visible presence today to help reassure the students and staff. ### Contact P.I.O. Lt. Steven Dearth,” the message stated.
Swanson reported that after the HPD received the phone message about an alleged threat against HHS, “shelter in place” protocols were put into place, and with support from the HPD, a sweep of the building was conducted.
“With approval from the HPD, we lifted the ‘shelter in place’ after about 10 minutes and then resumed normal school activities,” Swanson stated in the email. “We are confident that the call was part of a coordinated hoax that has targeted schools across the country, including several here on the South Shore. However, the HPD will provide additional support and supervision for the remainder of the day.”
While expressing regret about the disruption to the school day, Swanson expressed gratitude “for our strong partnership with the HPD and the support of the HHS staff members who helped us to effectively implement our safety protocols.”