Police: March 7th, 8th bomb threats at West Allis Central H.S. cost the district $20K
WEST ALLIS -- West Allis police on Tuesday, April 12th announced two teenagers have been referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for charging in connection with the March 9th bomb threat made at West Allis Central High School -- one of three bomb threats to occur at the school over a three-day period. Police have also provided more information as it relates to the financial impact of the two other bomb threats that occurred on March 7th and 8th.
Police, after working collaboratively with West Allis-West Milwaukee School District officials, arrested a 15-year-old boy and his 17-year-old cousin -- both from Milwaukee -- for the March 9th bomb threat. The 15-year-old is a West Allis Central High School student. The 17-year-old is not a student at the school.
West Allis Central High School -- March 9th bomb threat
These teenagers have been referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for charges.
In a statement, police said:
"The school district will continue to advocate for waiver of juvenile offenders into adult court for bomb threats when this waiver is appropriate. As with the earlier threats and arrests, the district will also continue to pursue damages to recoup costs associated with the disruption school evacuations and closings cost."
Students evacuated from West Allis Central High School due to bomb threat on March 7th
Below is a breakdown of expenses for the bomb threats on March 7th and 8th:
Lost Teacher Wages: $17,776.80
Food Loss: $1,087 on March 7th, $258 on March 8th
Food Service Additional Hours: $848 on March 7th, $185 on March 8th
Custodial Hours: $130.19 on March 7th, $86.79 on March 8th
Total Amount: $20,371.78 -- for March 7th and 8th combined
West Allis Central High School -- March 8th
A suspect was arrested in connection to the March 7th and 8th threats on March 11th.
Police on March 15th said the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office issued two felony charges of "Bomb Scares" against the 16-year-old West Allis High School student in connection with the two bomb threats.
The 16-year-old was charged as a juvenile.
Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern said this in a statement to FOX6 News, as it relates to why this student was not charged as an adult:
Juvenile cases are waived to adult court based primarily on the serious nature of the charge. Any prior record of the offender is also considered. A Bomb Scare is the lowest level felony under Wisconsin law and, under most circumstances, would never qualify to be waived into adult court.
The school was evacuated on March 7th and 8th as a result of the bomb threats. On each of those days, law enforcement officials were called in -- and students were moved to the field house on campus.
Students evacuated from West Allis Central High School due to bomb threat on March 7th
Students were eventually allowed back into the school building after it was determined there was no threat.
On March 9th, students were evacuated to Mount Hope Lutheran Church on 86th and Becher, and later sent home.
Classes were cancelled altogether on March 10th, so police and school officials could meet and determine how to handle this situation.
West Allis Central High School