Threat to schools most likely a hoax

MATTAWA — A threat spoken over the phone that sent schools in the Wahluke School District into a “teaching lockdown” two weeks ago may have been no threat at all.

Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris told the Mattawa City Council at its March 2 meeting that it appears the call was a hoax. Later he told the Sun Tribune the call was traced to an entity that makes robo-type calls.

“The (school district) did the right thing,” Harris said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

In a teaching lockdown all exterior buildings doors and interior classroom doors are locked. In addition, visitors wanting to access a facility the day of the lockdown were required to be cleared by deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Mattawa Police Department officers.

Movement between classes and during lunch periods was limited as well. The lockdown was canceled at about 1:30 p.m., with all classes and activities getting back to their regular schedules, and students were released from school at normal times.