OLD FORGE, Pa. — Many school districts received an email threatening harm on Friday, including Old Forge. District Compliance officer Christopher Gatto says they are prepared for these situations.
"We run drills, evacuation drills, fire drills, lockdown drills. The whole purpose is to have everyone comfortable, students, faculty and staff, to be able to deal with these situations as they arise," Gatto said.
Each school district has its own plan of action when receiving a threat. Some clear the building and resume classes, others dismiss for the day.
Superintendent Erin Keating says keeping the kids safe is priority but she knows it's also a major disruption for parents when schools are forced to evacuate.
"When you're getting these random swatting attacks, and you're making these calls to dismiss in the middle of the day and parents are forced to leave work or find someone to watch their kids and that's inconvenient and terrible for the family because the kids should be in school with us," Keating said.
Old Forge Police Chief Jason Dubernas says whether it's a real call or a hoax, they have to respond, pulling officers from other departments.
"Extra officers coming from all over, putting people in jeopardy, because they believe they're responding for an emergency for it to be something false," said Chief Dubernas.
On October 5th, Old Forge schools were locked down. Police say 22 year old Joshua Rohland called the district and threatened to shoot people at the high school. According to court papers, Rohland made comments about the school's curriculum and diversity. Police arrested and charged him with terroristic threats and harassment.
"This one was a threat on the exterior of the building. He said he was coming there so they locked down inside and we sent more manpower there," Chief Dubernas said.
Keating says she communicated with other superintendents who also received threats. This past Friday, she had a heads up and was ready to react.
"If you get the call, you know what everyone is going to do and it's not a spur of the moment decision or chaos because people weren't ready for it to happen," Keating said.
Monday, Joshua Rohland waived his preliminary hearing on the latest charges. He was also arrested and convicted back in 2019 for vandalizing Old Forge High School.
Police and the FBI are still investigating the most recent threats at area school districts.