Video report: Bomb threat prompts evacuation of Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich

Parents wait to pick up their kids after a bomb threat prompted evacuation of the Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich.
Craig Chadwick/CWN

HARWICH – Emergency officials responded to Momonoy Regional High School on Oak Street in Harwich about 9 AM Friday morning.

Harwich Police have issued the following statement: At approximately 9 AM the Massachusetts State Police received a computer generated bomb threat for Monomoy Regional High School. School officials immediately evacuated the school to Brooks Park. State and local law enforcement as well as the Harwich Fire Department are on scene.

Monomoy Regional School District issued the following statement: This morning, our local law enforcement received an automated call with what they believe to be a non-credible threat to Monomoy Regional High School. Out of extreme caution, students and faculty have relocated to Brooks Park while the building is being fully swept and inspected. Students and faculty will not be allowed to return to the building until it is fully cleared. We are currently determining whether to end the high school day and dismiss the students. We will share that information with you as soon as it’s available.

None of our other buildings have received any specific threat, however, they have been notified and ensured that those buildings are secured.

We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.

Update: MRHS students will be dismissed. See details below.

Due to the length of time required for law enforcement to fully and safely sweep the building, we will be dismissing MRHS students for the day.

*We will send the bus riders home at 10:30 a.m. from Brooks Park (there is a police presence there).

*At 11 a.m. we will have parent pick up at Brooks. Please follow guidance from police about the location and timing of the pickup process.

*At 11 a.m. we will escort student drivers to their cars.

No one will be allowed back in the building today. The state bomb squad is on its way. It will be over an hour for them to arrive, then time to search.

All other district buildings are externally locked down as a precaution.

Today’s Finfest at the high school won’t happen (it was to start at 10:30 a.m.).

Update: the high school building and grounds have been searched by the State Police K-9 units and the all clear has been given. Nothing was found. We wish to thank everyone for their patience and understanding this morning.
We will remain at the other town schools for afternoon dismissal.

A very special thanks to the high school students, staff and administration for their continued partnership. We would also like to thank the parents for their assistance today on an orderly reunification process.
Thank you to the Harwich Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police as well as the Harwich DPW and our local mutual aid communities.