SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Ohio stationed state police at schools in Springfield on Tuesday in response to a series of bomb threats — the vast majority of which officials said came from abroad — after former president donald trump And his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio falsely claimed that legal Haitian immigrants in the town were eating dogs and cats.
Schools, government buildings and the homes of elected officials in Springfield were targeted in more than 30 hoax threats made last week, forcing evacuations and closures. Two more schools had to be evacuated Monday. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said a foreign actor was largely responsiblebut he would not say which country it was.
“The vast majority of the bomb threats came from outside the country. Not 100 percent, but it’s the vast majority,” DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said Tuesday.
Tierney said a criminal investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies yielded information about the origin of the bomb threats. He was not specific about how investigators determined they came from a foreign country, nor would he reveal the name of the country, because that could lead to additional threats.
“These are largely foreign actors, not people from the community or any other part of the United States,” he said. “We think it’s helpful, in part, because it shows that, you know, it’s not true, that it’s safe to send your kids to school. And we’re providing additional patrol support to make sure that people feel safe in school.”
DeWine announced Monday that he would send dozens of members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol to help keep schools open. Two highway patrol officers are assigned to each of the Springfield City School District’s 18 schools, said Jenna Leinasars, a spokeswoman for the district.
“Officers will search the buildings for threats before school and again after school. In between these searches, officers will be stationed at the building throughout the day,” she said.
State police were visible at a high school Tuesday morning, where students were being dropped off as usual.
Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years in the predominantly white, working-class city of about 60,000 residents, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from the state capital of Columbus, where they have found work in factories and warehouses that have struggled to fill vacancies. The sudden influx has caused tension schools, healthcare institutions and municipal services and drove up housing costs.
DeWine has appealed to the federal government to do more to help cities like Springfield, but he and city officials have repeatedly debunked the Internet rumors amplified by Trump during last week’s presidential debate and echoed by Vance.
City officials said Tuesday that the false claims about Haitians “have had a significant impact on our community, creating unnecessary fear, division and financial strain,” and have disrupted schools.
“Unsubstantiated claims, including sensational rumors, have resulted in increased costs and damages for the city as we have been forced to devote resources to address these lies and maintain the peace and unity we work so hard to promote,” said a statement from Springfield spokesperson Karen Graves.
___
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania.