Mt. Lebanon High School Beefs Up Security In Wake Of Graffiti Threat

MT. LEBANON, Pa. -- School administrators in Mt. Lebanon are vowing to find the vandal behind threatening graffiti left in a high school bathroom on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the school district, students first noticed graffiti written on the wall of a boys' bathroom in Mt. Lebanon High School that said “11/19 Bomb” and “11/19 Shooting up the school.”

School leaders contacted police, who investigated and determined that there was "no credible threat," the school said.

Administrators said the entrance to the restroom is under video surveillance and that they will release the tape and the names of any students captured on the video entering the restroom prior to the graffiti being discovered to police for further investigation.

“We intend to prosecute the responsible party to the fullest extent possible with school consequences and criminal charges," said Principal Ron Davis in the news release.

Authorities told Channel 4 Action News' Ashlie Hardway the video from the surveillance cameras will be digitally enhanced.

The school has also requested an increased police presence around the high school on Thursday.

Students Channel 4 spoke with said despite the graffiti, they feel safe.

"I hadn't heard anything about the bomb threat until this morning, so I still feel safe. It's a real, laid back, calm environment," said sophomore Emmanuel Harris.

"I know they're going to take care of us," said junior Michaela Lies. "The faculty and staff, they're doing their job so it's no problem."

Hardway reported a similar incident happened last month and that there were three reported incidents during the 2007-2008 school year.

In each incident, the school increased security and there was no violence, Hardway reported.

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