Threatening Fax Prompts "Alert" At Miami-Dade, Broward Schools

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade and Broward County public schools were placed on alert Thursday regarding 'less than credible' threats, according to authorities.

CBS4's Peter D'Oench obtained what could be the threatening fax that prompted the alert.

The sender nicknamed "Archangel Michael" said in the email, "There are 400 sets of compact U.S. Armed Forces standard C-4 across 40 schools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Orange County public schools, along with 200 in each district, aluminum thermite pipe bombs hidden across campuses...Today we are going to make Florida fall into the ocean like Atlantis."

Students in Miami-Dade County are concerned and taking precautions.

Tamara Sanchez says she has seen stepped-up security at Coral Gables Senior High School and she wonders if it is tied to the latest threat to public schools.

"I've seen a police presence more in school. It can be intimidating," said Sanchez who is in 11th grade. "I think it's good to have that presence there but I must say it is disruptive to the environment."

Miami-Dade Schools Police are being extra vigilant in and around buildings.

A statement says that, "Miami-Dade Public Schools is working with federal, state and local law enforcement after receiving a broad and less than credible threat against schools and universities in several Florida counties as well as the FBI. The threat is similar to threats received in other parts of the country."

The district put out a statement saying they're "working with law enforcement on less than credible threats, exercising extra vigilance."

"I feel that school is not safe for children anymore," said parent Sophia Plitt. "This school is pretty good. They have the entire school locked off. You can't get inside unless you go through their office."

In Broward County, that extra vigilance was in effect around Hollywood schools.

"We enhanced our patrol units around schools during school hours and thru dismissal," said Hollywood Police Ofc. Miranda Grossman.

Officers stood guard outside schools as parents picked up their children and walked the halls checking for any signs of trouble.

"As a precautionary measure, our school resource officers did a cursory check of Hollywood schools, along with school security," Grossman added.

Many parents were unaware of the threats and were asking for more than the vague information the district offered, calling it "non-credible."

"I think it's very scary and I think for most parents, I don't know what we really consider non-credible," said Joanne Stevens. "I'd need more info on that and it does concern me."

Both public school systems said classes would go on per usual on Thursday and schools would follow regular dismissal procedures and dismissal times.