RIVER VALLEY — Schools followed their safety plans Monday, along with law enforcement presence, after the Mexico Walmart took a phone call that they felt was threatening to area schools.
Interim Police Chief Roy Hodsdon said that on Saturday, Walmart received a phone call about the purchase of a gun although no purchase was made. The call provided no information about schools or locations. Walmart then contacted his department, with Hodsdon making school principals aware on Sunday.
Students arrived at schools an hour later Monday because of the inclement weather. Gloria Jenkins, asst. superintendent for RSU 10, said their safety plans included keeping outside doors locked.
On Tuesday morning, Hodsdon met with local school administrators. He said the police presence includes extra patrols in the area, visiting the schools in the morning and afternoon, and keeping a constant line open to administrators for updates. That presence will continue at least for the week, or until police and schools mutually agree that that presence can lessen.
“We are taking this seriously and are investigating. We have a supoena and will be looking at the phone records,” said Hodsdon, adding that that includes working the phone carrier to the phone number and where the call was made.
Hodsdon said this call was similar to calls to other Walmarts in the recent weeks. However, he doesn’t know if this is related or a copycat caller. He did note that at about the same time, a bomb threat was made at the Oxford Walmart, but that proved to be unfounded. Once again, he didn’t know if that was related.
Monday afternoon, Jenkins posted the news on the RSU 10 Facebook site.
She said, “Today schools followed their safety plans that include keeping outside doors locked. Local law enforcement has been at the schools and in the areas around the schools at times during the day. We are very grateful for the coordinated efforts of Mexico PD, Rumford PD, Dixfield PD, Maine State Police and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
Your child’s safety is a priority for RSU 10 staff. If more information becomes available, parents/guardians will receive another update. Please do not hesitate to call me at the RSU 10 Central Office at 562-7254, ext. 8220.”
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