In response to a recent surge in bomb threats, state police have been stationed at Springfield schools in Ohio. The majority of these threats, believed to have originated from overseas, followed false claims made by former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance regarding legal Haitian immigrants in the area consuming dogs and cats. The threats targeted schools, government buildings, and elected officials' homes, resulting in evacuations and closures.

Over the course of last week, more than 30 hoax bomb threats were reported, leading to disruptions in the community. On Monday, two additional schools had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine revealed that a foreign actor was primarily responsible for the threats, although he refrained from disclosing the specific country involved.

Dan Tierney, the spokesperson for Governor DeWine, stated that a criminal investigation conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies helped determine the origin of these bomb threats. While he did not elaborate on the methods used to identify the foreign country, Tierney emphasized the aim of dispelling any concerns within the community. "These are largely foreign actors, not folks in the community or another part of the United States," he said. "We think it's useful in part because it shows that it's, you know, false, that it's safe to send your kids to school. And we're providing extra patrol support to make sure people feel safe at school."

As part of the efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff, Governor DeWine announced on Monday that dozens of Ohio State Highway Patrol officers would be deployed to assist in keeping the schools open. Each of the 18 schools in the Springfield City School District will be assigned two highway patrol officers, who will conduct thorough sweeps of the buildings for any potential threats before and after school hours. During the school day, these officers will remain stationed within the premises.

The presence of state police was visible at a middle school on Tuesday morning, with students being dropped off as usual. The intention behind this deployment is to provide a sense of security and to alleviate any anxieties among parents, students, and staff members.

Governor DeWine has called for increased federal support to address the challenges faced by cities like Springfield. However, both he and city officials have repeatedly debunked the internet rumors that were amplified by former President Trump during the presidential debate and echoed by Senator Vance.

With the assistance of the state police and ongoing investigations, authorities in Springfield are working diligently to address the bomb threats and restore a sense of normalcy within the community.