Clearwater Police are still looking for the person who pulled a cruel hoax Tuesday: Dialing 911 and saying there was an active shooter on Belleair Elementary School's campus.
"We were all paranoid. Everybody was rushing over there," said Dreona Ricks, who has nieces at the school. "People - seriously - were crying because their kids are in the school and we don't know what's going on."
The hoax came into Pinellas County's dispatch center from a cell phone that operators couldn't call back. Students were about to dismiss, creating even more of a ruckus in the lockdown.
"We sent all of our resources immediately to that location," Elizabeth Watts, spokeswoman for Clearwater Public Safety. "Improper use of the 911 system is really putting it lightly when you consider the fact that someone would call in and say something like that was occurring at an elementary school."
In the weeks after the killing at Sandy Hook - districts all across the Bay area were on high alert, especially after local copycat threats.
"The first two weeks - we received a lot of similar complaints as they had in Clearwater...a lot of threats of violence and mass shooters," said Capt. Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. "But within that two week time frame after Sandy Hook - it's significantly been reduced since then."
Still officers and deputies across the Bay area are training more for the worst cast scenario. Hillsborough County is also working with elementary schools down to the details of how tall shrubbery is outside.
"Visual blockings ... unsecured doors - trying to focus on one entry, one exit to limit the flow of people coming in and out of the school," explained Chronister.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:48:56 GMT
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:03 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:03:45 GMT
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in arrest of the man Tuesday afternoon in Temple terrace who they said robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy a few days ago. Tampa Police officers
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in arrest of the man Tuesday afternoon in Temple terrace who they said robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy a few days ago. Tampa Police officers
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:41:12 GMT
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:08 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:08:53 GMT
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:41:12 GMT
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:40:44 GMT
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
