Four Harford County schools received bomb threats Wednesday as part of a “larger pattern” of similar threats reported by school systems across the state.

All of the bomb threats were made via email targeting Havre de Grace Middle/High School, Patterson Mill Middle/High School, Joppatowne High School and Harford Technical High School.

Of the four schools, Havre de Grace Middle/High was the only one to fully evacuate students and staff, according to school officials. The other three schools were threatened after the state said the threats were part of a “coordinated, widespread incident impacting schools across Maryland.”

“Threats to other schools occurred after this information was shared with Harford County Public Schools and [the schools] remained in session while law enforcement completed precautionary assessments,” the school system wrote in a social media post.

Cristie Hopkins, the public information officer for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, said the sheriff’s investigation indicated that the threats are not credible and were organized and initiated from outside the country and sent to several schools around the United States.

The investigation has since concluded, Hopkins said.

In October, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office investigated more than 30 school threats and charged three people.

The majority of the threats occurred after the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Joppatowne High School student Warren Grant, who was shot during a fight in one of the school’s bathrooms just days into the school year.

Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said nearly all threats made to Harford schools have been from posts on social media that are reported by parents, students and educators. Gahler explained that he and his deputies take all threats seriously and thoroughly investigate each of them.

For someone to be charged for a school threat, Gahler said they need to “cross the line” and express a willingness or an intent to commit an act.

According to a YouTube video from the school system a year ago, Bel Air High School, Halls Cross Roads Elementary School, North Harford High School and Fallston High School are equipped with school safety liaisons — staff members who specialize in school safety. The school system also has one school safety liaison who floats among elementary schools.

The sheriff’s office also has a program for 27 of the school system’s 33 elementary schools. The program uses a police supervisor and four sheriff’s deputies who rotate among the schools serving as resource officers.

Since the Joppatowne High School shooting and amid a statewide uptick in school threats, the Harford school system has used 11 weapons detection systems on an “as needed” basis at schools, sporting events and other school-related events.

Harford school officials said they have maintained school safety as a top priority and will continue to ensure that Harford schools are a safe and secure learning environment for all students.

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