Heritage High School adds security after threats

By Annie McCallum
Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: May 14, 2008

After receiving two specific threats written on a bathroom wall, school officials increased security at Heritage High School on Wednesday, placing three police officers on campus.

The school usually has one school resource officer patrolling the building.

Principal Mark Miear declined to describe the exact threat, but did say it mentioned Wednesday specifically. He said the threat was not credible, but he wanted additional safety measures.

“In today’s time, you always need to take all the precautions that you possibly can, but also you don’t want to interrupt the school day,” he said.

Miear said the first threat was found a few weeks ago.

“We planned for today at that point,” he said.

Teachers were also notified of the incident by an e-mail Miear sent.

Superintendent Paul McKendrick said additional officers were necessary.

“You keep the building safe,” he said, later adding, “The building is safe today and there are no problems.”