Niles schools threatened for fourth time in two weeks

NILES, Mich. - Another bomb scare caused lockdowns at multiple Michiana schools for a second straight day.

It's the fourth violent threat in the past two weeks targeting schools in the Niles and Brandywine districts.

And this time even included Southwestern Michigan College in Niles.

It's been a tough day for schools here, but all schools lifted their lockdowns after completing their investigations.

I spoke to a parent this afternoon who feels these threats are becoming an everyday occurrence.

She's upset and worried her kids are losing out on precious learning time. 

“The threats need to stop so these kids go to school and get an education and go back to join schools and I feel like the middle and high schools need to let these kids take their phones in the classrooms, so they can text us parents that their okay and safe, so it's done and over with," said Ottinger.

Thursday, Niles Mayor Nick Shelton posted an update to social media saying Brandywine Community Schools and Niles Community Schools received threats.  

Restrictions on Niles Schools were lifted Thursday afternoon and dismissal was normal.

Brandywine did go on lockdown but after inspecting the school they gave the all-clear and lifted the lockdown just before 2 p.m.

Southwestern Michigan College was also alerted to a possible bomb threat, but they did a sweep of the campus and have given it the all-clear.  

Mo Canady, Executive Director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, says there needs to be an open line of communication between students, parents, and administrators when there are hoax threats.

“When we get a threat, we need to have a plan to be able to investigate thoroughly and quickly. We need to make sure we're not allowing someone calling in a threat or writing in a threat to disrupt school any more than necessary. If we do, then they are getting what they want and it will continue," said Canady,

St. Joseph County Police were called to a house in Granger that belonged to someone connected to the email threat to Niles schools.

After conducting their investigation, they say there is no immediate threat of danger.