Threatening note found at New Bedford high school

On Friday, December 5th at approximately 11:40 a.m., New Bedford High School officials discovered a note inside the high school indicating a threat to the building.

New Bedford Police were notified and responded to the school immediately; based on their counsel, the threat was considered low-level and non-specific. Police determined that given the situation, the best course of action was to conduct a sweep of the building as the school day proceeded.

Soon after the start of their investigation, a thorough sweep of the building was completed by police and school officials. Police deemed the threat not credible, and students continued their school day as usual.

“Student safety is a top priority for New Bedford Public Schools and we take absolutely no threat lightly when it comes to the well-being of children in our schools,” said Superintendent Pia Durkin. “This threat was not considered credible by police from the start, but naturally we took every precaution necessary in responding to it. The staff at New Bedford High School dealt with this threat professionally, and the New Bedford Police were immensely helpful as always in responding to concerns about the safety of our students.”