Anonymous
(Photo: John Palminteri of KEYT News)
At approximately 9:40 a.m. this morning, April 17, 2018, a passerby called 911 to report seeing a suspicious suitcase near the intersection of Turnpike Road and Hollister Avenue against the fence line at San Marcos High School. Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers responded and secured the immediate area. The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was deployed to conduct an investigation into the contents of the abandoned suitcase. As a precautionary measure, the surrounding streets were closed, traffic was re-routed and pedestrians were kept out of the area. The disruption was minimal for students who were in class during the incident and determined to be a safe distance from the potential threat.
The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad used remote procedures including a robot to approach and open the suspicious suitcase. Sheriff’s bomb technicians found a sleeping bag inside but no explosive or dangerous items. The suitcase was rendered safe at approximately 11:15 a.m. prior to the campus lunch bell. The Sheriff’s Office communicated closely with San Marcos High School Administrators and the Santa Barbara Unified School District to ensure the safety of the students.
The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad is the only public safety Bomb Squad in Santa Barbara County. The squad serves the entire county and all law enforcement jurisdictions at no charge to any requesting agency. The Sheriff’s Bomb Squad provides expert explosive and bomb disposal response 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
Update by edhat staff
Edhat readers sent in reports of a police response to San Marcos High School late Tuesday morning.
Initial reports suggested a bomb threat was made on the campus, but later information discovered there was a suspicious suitcase found near the school.
After an investigation, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department determined the suitcase contained a sleeping bag and there was nothing dangerous.
Edhat will update this story with more information as it becomes available.
Does anyone have more information about a bomb threat at San Marcos High School this Tuesday morning? I heard a rumor but haven’t gotten an official notice from the school.
Except when there has been a History of threats Good job SBSO…
Since it was against the fence of the school. I would say that would make it ‘at’ San Marcos High School.
It raises suspicion when an unattended backpack or suitcase is found. That’s how bombs are often left, like at the horrible Boston Marathon a few years ago. Question, why wasn’t the suitcase put in the owner’s locker or someplace safer than just out in the open? Trying to get a panic going? Better safe than sorry.
FLICKA – an unattended backpack at a high school shouldn’t be cause for the bomb squad to deploy.