The national attention on Springfield, Ohio, has put the town, including its children, in an uncomfortable position after it became the center of conspiracy theories about Haitian migrants during last week’s presidential debate. Dozens of reported bomb threats, though mostly hoaxes, are forcing Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, R, to take action to protect students.
DeWine ordered state troopers and bomb detection dogs to sweep each school before children and staff arrive for classes. On Monday, Sept. 16, DeWine announced the additional security measures, which include stationing 36 state troopers throughout the city’s school district.
“None of the threats that have come into Springfield have been legitimate. We’re doing this purely as a precaution to prevent further disruption within the Springfield School District,” DeWine said.
DeWine added that he believes the bomb threats are from overseas and meant to cause discord within the United States.
The governor also directed the state’s Homeland Security Offices to look into any vulnerabilities within “critical infrastructure,” and the agency said that on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that it is keeping an eye on the situation in Springfield.
“I spoke with the governor yesterday and over the weekend,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said. “We were speaking of the resources that the department of Homeland Security can provide to the city of Springfield. My colleagues in the department have been in touch with the mayor of Springfield, and we’re concerned about the situation.”
Since the presidential debate where former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Haitian migrants were eating family pets in Springfield, DeWine and Springfield officials have been forced to deny the accusations. However, DeWine has declined to blame Trump for the ongoing threats, saying border and immigration policies are legitimate issues to be debated.
Meanwhile, anti-Haitian rhetoric has been on the rise since the unproven claims began floating.
Recently, a Republican Ohio sheriff, who is running for reelection, reportedly caused alarm after he said on social media that he’s keeping tabs on homes with Harris-Walz signs. He also warned that undocumented immigrants would flood in like “illegal human locust” if Vice President Kamala Harris were to be elected.
His comments sparked backlash from some within his own party and the ACLU of Ohio said it received complaints about his comments. His opponent condemned his remarks.
