LETTERS: Threat is real
To the Editor:
I am a parent and I am writing to express my concern about the recent bomb threat and explosive device within the Marion school district. I understand there have been two incidents within a week's time period. I understand that USD 408 had learned about the explosive through the grapevine. The building supervisor at some point notified the Marion Police Department.
However, I do question several items in regard to how this whole thing was handled.
First and foremost, neither the children nor the staff were evacuated from the building or the surrounding area. The police command post was in the building. EMS and fire crews were in the parking lot. Consider: An explosion, the primary one, would have caused the police, staff, and students injuries and/or death. The EMS crew and fire department would have sustained some injuries. But it would have been the secondary explosion, such as the gaslines, that would have caused us to have no police, EMS personnel, or a fire department.
Furthermore, one threat is too many! Any threat is a terrorist threat! That should be taken seriously no matter who or where it comes from. People want to believe this only happens in the "big" city. Statistics show 75 percent of bomb threats occur from the "small" towns. All we have to do is remember the Oklahoma City bombing; McVey and Nichols came from small towns.
It would seem you would want to take any threat to our children as being "real." Therefore, a better plan for our schools and city. The state of Kansas has some excellent resources when it comes to bomb calls. The Kansas Highway Patrol has a bomb unit, which is trained with dogs to detect any type of explosives. Fort Riley and McConnell air base have EOD units (explosive ordnance disposal) that will respond. All of these agencies are more than happy to assist other agencies at no cost to the requesting agency.
Terrorism forces us to make a choice. We can be afraid, or we can be ready!
Pam Maag
Marion
