BUTLER TWP. — A box of doughnuts prompted the bomb squad to be called to John E. Smith Intermediate School in Butler Township Thursday afternoon.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, Butler Township police were called to the school on reports of a suspicious person at approximately 10:48 a.m.
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According to Vandalia-Butler City Schools Superintendent Rob O’Leary, a man called and then showed up at the school asking for a tour.
The man had a box of doughnuts and when he was denied entry into the school, he left the doughnuts outside the building.
The school contacted local police to inspect the box “as an over abundance of caution,” O’Leary said.
They also placed the students under a level-one lockdown.
Butler Township officers contacted the Dayton Bomb Squad to check the box. The box was later determined to be just doughnuts.
Butler Township Chief of Police John Porter said detectives identified the male and determined the incident was a misunderstanding and miscommunication between staff and the individual.
“It was learned that the subject tutors one of the students who is an extended family member and attends Smith Intermediate School,” Porter said.
The police department commends Vandalia-Butler City School District staff members for following their safety plans and protocols and not letting the male enter the building.
O’Leary sent several messages to parents as the incident was unfolding. Read those messages below:
Parents, We want to let you know of a situation at Smith Intermediate School today. While we are still gathering details, here is what we know. An unknown person came to Smith’s front entrance asking to tour the building and wanting to provide a box of donuts. Our staff followed all safety protocols and did not allow the person into the building. We are following a level one lockdown which keeps students inside the building and prohibits visitors into the building. As an extra layer of precaution, Butler Township police were immediately contacted, and a description of the person’s vehicle and identity were obtained as they investigate. All students and staff are safe inside the building, and the person left the premises when staff refused to allow entrance. The box is outside of the building and will be inspected by law enforcement. As an overabundance of caution, the police are contacting the bomb squad to check the contents of the box. Students have been located to a safe space in the building in order to establish a safe perimeter as directed by law enforcement. We will continue to follow up as more details are known. All buildings in the district have been notified and provided a description of the person.
— Parent Message - 12/5/24 at 11:52am Important Notification
We just received the all-clear message, and everyone is safe. We will follow up soon with additional information.
— Parent Message - 12/5/24 at 12:52pm Important Notification Update
Parents, We want to give you an update with some additional details that we know regarding the situation at Smith today. First and foremost, we are proud of our students and staff. They did a phenomenal job. We are also thankful to have the relationship we do with our local law enforcement agencies. We apologize for any scare in alerting you to the situation, but we needed to follow our safety protocols to ensure everyone’s safety. This is why the district has invested in the many layers of safety and security we have which all proved to be very beneficial and helpful in working through the situation today. We will always be over cautious when it comes to the safety of our students and our staff. Details we know: An unknown man called the school asking to make a visit to the building. Staff declined this request. The man then showed up at the building with the box of donuts. We did not let the man in the building; however, he did leave the box of donuts outside. Because the situation was highly suspicious we immediately went into a lock down, called police, and they arrived and controlled the scene. Because we did not know what was in the box of donuts, and the suspicious nature of the situation, the police determined they would call the bomb squad to scan the package out of an abundance of caution. When it was determined the package was really donuts, students and staff were called to the Commons area, and Mr. Rogers and I explained that a suspicious man came to the building with a package of donuts and, to be safe and to ensure everyone’s safety, we implemented our safety plans. Students and staff were commended for the outstanding job they did and the poise and calm they exhibited throughout the situation. We want to thank Butler Township PD, and all of the local law enforcement agencies who came to the building to assist to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Police are in contact with the man and are handling the situation.
God bless you all! We are Aviators!
Rob O’Leary, Superintendent Vandalia-Butler City Schools
— Parent Message - 12/5/24 at 1:54pm Smith Update from Superintendent O’Leary
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