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High school not placed on lockdown after bomb threat

There have been four school threats in the past two days in the Charlotte area. Three were made against Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and one was aimed at a school in Union County.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- There have been four school threats in the past two days in the Charlotte area. Three were made against Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and one was aimed at a school in Union County.

The most recent incident was a bomb threat at Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology High School on Thursday. There was no lockdown, so we asked CMS to find out why.

Here is the statement school officials gave to NBC Charlotte:

"I think you will find the parent message further explains the process for the protocol followed. Please know all threats are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Individuals found to have made threats against schools are in violation of the law and could face penalties as outlined by state and local laws in some cases federal laws, additionally students would be punished in accordance with the CMS Code of Student Conduct.”

Here is that message sent to parents following the threat:

“This is Principal Kennedy. When I receive any information about our school community’s safety, I want to keep you updated. Yesterday and last night, CMSPD, CMPD and POB staff investigated a threat to our school that was made through social media. We have no reason to believe that this is a credible threat and we do not believe staff or students at POB are in danger but did want you to know that out of an abundance of caution, you, students and staff will see an increased law enforcement presence on campus today. We will keep you updated on the ongoing investigation. Thank you for your support of Phillip O. Berry.”

Tony Underwood with the Union County Sheriff’s Office says there are different protocols for schools to go on a hard and/or soft lockdown.

“Typically it involves an active threat at the school at that moment, so the perception of a threat doesn’t mean the school is going to be placed on lockdown,” Sheriff Underwood said.

In addition to a threat at Hawthorne and Harding High Schools Wednesday, there was also a situation at Cuthbertson High School.

“I would not call the situation at Cuthbertson yesterday a threat. It was misinformation shared by teens, which led to an allegation of threats toward the school. There was never a direct threat communicated, and the students involved have been addressed,” Sheriff Underwood told NBC Charlotte.

Sheriff Underwood acknowledged there has been a spike in threats or situations perceived as threats since the tragedy in Parkland.

“Dramatic increase in number of threats or perceived threats reports after tragic shooting in Florida,” Underwood emphasized. It’s difficult to quantitatively say if there have been more school threats carried out post Parkland or more situations perceived as threats, reported and investigated for the safety of all involved.

On Wednesday, Harding High School was placed on lockdown after a threatening 911 call. 25 minutes later, the threat was determined not credible.

At Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences on Wednesday, the school was placed on lockdown because a student reportedly brought a gun to school. The principal sent parents a message saying the student was identified with no weapon. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police charged two juvenile suspects for making the threat.

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