MELROSE — Two students are being credited with alerting administrators to a bomb threat Tuesday morning, November 18, at Melrose High. Police investigated and after a thorough search determined no lives were ever in danger.
Principal Marianne Farrell, in a Connect Ed statement to parents later in the day, explained that “at 10:17 two students discovered graffiti in the 3rd floor boy’s bathroom. Lightly drawn in pencil was the word ‘bomb 12:00’ with no other information. They immediately took pictures and shared them with school administration and the School Resource Officer. Melrose Police Department and Melrose Fire Department were called immediately to access the level of risk.
“In accordance with the new Massachusetts Bomb Threat Response Guidance, it was determined that the graffiti constituted a low level risk. A low level risk still involves a complete search of all common areas, classrooms and exterior. Public safety officials along with school staff followed the protocol and searched both schools on the secondary campus and did not report anything. Additionally, high school teachers and staff checked their individual classrooms and reported no findings.
“We are pleased that our students recognized when a situation requires immediate attention of the administration and acted responsibly. We would also appreciate the help of our families and students not only in discussing with their children such threatening activities when they happen, but also in reinforcing to our students that such behavior is frightening and disruptive to all and unacceptable in the Melrose Public Schools.
Police Chief Mike Lyle said he and his men, along with school officials, “swept” both the high school and Veterans Memorial Middle School checking for any explosive devices. Lyle explained there was very little interruption to the school day in either building.
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Police went to East Emerson Street Sunday afternoon, November 16, after getting a 911 call at 11:21 a.m. from a man who said he had been stabbed in the chest. Because of new state laws, police could provide no further details because the incident was deemed to stem from a domestic situation.
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Officers searched the neighborhoods off West Wyoming Avenue November 16 after Stoneham Police called at 1:55 a.m. saying a woman told her boyfriend she had been kidnapped at a Richdale store.
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Early Saturday, November 15, police checked on a person who was allegedly slumped over in the passenger seat of a white Kia in the middle of the driveway at the Melrose Towers Condominiums around 5:55 a.m.
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Around 7:35 a.m. November 15, a wallet found at the Horace Mann School was turned into police.
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A pocketbook was reportedly stolen from a car parked on East Street Friday, November 14. The alleged theft was reported at 2:24 p.m.
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Graffiti was found on a concrete wall near Dado’s Pizza on Washington Street around 9 a.m. November 14.
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A school bus driver told police at 12:22 a.m. November 14 that a student exited the vehicle and never returned near the intersection of First and Lebanon streets.
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On Thursday, November 13, a resident of an apartment in the 100 block of Main Street reported smelling something electrical burning around 11:50 a.m. Firefighters responded and found no safety issues.
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Police were told November 13 around 6 a.m. that a dumpster behind Whole Foods Market, 880 Main St., was being emptied prior to 7 a.m.
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On Wednesday, November 12, around 6:20 p.m., a concerned citizen called police after seeing youths pushing a portable basketball hoop down Tremont Street. The caller wondered if there was a theft in progress. Police responded, found the youths and determined the hoop had been purchased legally.
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A Brazil Street resident reported bank fraud at 1:43 p.m. November 12. Three unauthorized transactions of $29.95 each were found on the person’s bank statement. Police, who determined the person was a scam victim, continue their investigation.
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On Tuesday, November 11, around 1:25 p.m., police had to restore the peace at the Melrose Care Center-Nursing Home on Martin Street after two patients got into a fight.
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A man who fell in the driveway of a West Emerson Street home November 11 was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital around 3:20 p.m.
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On Monday, November 10, police were told of youths headed towards Conant Park off Maple Street who may have had beer or alcohol with them. Police found the youths and did not see any alcohol in their presence.
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A West Emerson Street woman reported around 12:25 p.m. November 10 that an unauthorized charge of $500 was found on her ATM card. The purchase was made at a Walgreens in Arlington November 6 around 3 p.m. Police continue their investigation.
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A Cottage Street parent reported the theft of his son’s Tony Hawk mountain bike. The bicycle was stolen from the garage, was estimated to be worth about $200 and was last seen about two months ago, police said.
