Alliance High School was placed on lockdown Monday following a bomb threat, according to the Alliance Police Department, while North Platte High School also saw a heightened police presence under circumstances that remain unclear.
In a press release issued Monday, Alliance Police Chief David Leavitt said Alliance High School was locked down after a bomb threat was received earlier in the day. As a precaution, all other Alliance Public Schools were placed on temporary hold status.
Police said all available intelligence and investigative information indicated the threat was likely not credible, but school officials made the decision to evacuate Alliance High School in the interest of student and staff safety.
Students were transported by bus to the Knight Museum as part of established reunification protocols. Parents were instructed to follow information distributed through Alliance Public Schools communication channels and were urged not to respond directly to the high school campus.
“The Alliance Police Department is actively investigating the threat and working closely with school officials to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, parents of students at North Platte High School received notifications Monday advising them there would be an increased police presence at the school. No explanation was provided in the notification, and no evacuations had been ordered as of Monday afternoon.
Teachers and students reported uncertainty about the situation as officers carrying rifles were seen patrolling hallways and classrooms inside the school.
At this time, it is unknown whether the situations in Alliance and North Platte are connected.
The North Platte Post contacted the North Platte Police Department for comment but was referred to North Platte High School. When contacted by The Post, school staff declined to provide information, saying only, “Nope. You can call back later.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.