WAVERLY, Ohio — Waverly City Schools evacuated students and staff Thursday morning after the Waverly Police Department received a threat against the district, prompting an immediate law enforcement response, the department said in a Facebook post.
UPDATE (Sept. 18, 12:08 p.m.): This story has been updated with additional information from the Waverly Police Department.
Upon notification of the threat, the department said established safety protocols were immediately enacted, and officers worked closely with school administrators to address the situation and ensure the safety of students and staff. The department thanked parents for their cooperation and understanding during the morning evacuation and credited unspecified assisting agencies for their support.
Following the evacuation, officers conducted a security sweep and lockdown procedure at district campuses as additional proactive safety measures, the department said Friday. School properties remained under police surveillance for 24 hours after Thursday’s evacuation, and the department said it would continue monitoring school property throughout the weekend as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the safety and security of Waverly’s schools.
The department did not disclose the nature of the threat, how it was received or whether a suspect had been identified.
Thursday’s evacuation marked the third time since Sept. 3 that a reported threat has disrupted Waverly City Schools. In the two previous instances, the district and police department determined there was no viable threat to students or staff after investigating reports tied to a social media video and a separate morning safety concern.
The Waverly Police Department, based on South Market Street, is the primary law enforcement agency for Waverly, the Pike County seat and the county’s largest community. Waverly City Schools serves the district’s students, including at Waverly High School on Tiger Drive.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Waverly Police Department.
