Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE - A list of names found at Montrose High yesterday might have been a sloppy attempt for its writers to be expelled. However, it's being treated as a threat and the two girls accused of making the list could be charged with multiple offenses.

Montrose Police Chief Tom Chinn said two girls on or near school property yesterday were "trying to be truant," when a piece of paper fell from a backpack one of them was carrying.

The Montrose Police Department's school resource officer seized the paper, which turned out to be a list of names.

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"We got a written threat, not just against students, but staff as well," MHS Principal Jim Barnhill said. "The two individuals (allegedly) responsible have been suspended from school and referred to law enforcement. Right now, it's in their hands."

He said he was not at liberty to discuss the details of the alleged threat.

"After our officers investigated this, they determined these kids were trying to use this as a tool to be expelled from school," Chinn said. "We took it as a possible threat. We're requesting prosecution on these two kids."

The girls could be charged with interference with an educational institution, harassment, menacing or other offenses.

Barnhill said all parents, children and faculty members on the list were notified.

Montrose High has dealt with threatening communication from students before; usually written references to "bombs."

Last year, a student's throat was slashed as she entered the school; the suspect has since pleaded guilty and charges against another youth were dropped.

Nearby areas have dealt with school violence as well. Just a few days ago, an 18-year-old man was arrested on allegations he'd plotted to attack Palisade High school with weapons and explosives, the Associated Press and Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported.

Comments

Where is the law wrote on Oct 9, 2009 7:49 AM:

" Kids, for whatever reason, are becoming more and more aggresive ! committing violent acts and threatening classmates and staff. Yeah maybe its time to step up the police department and actually police the school zone ! "




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Some Girl wrote on Oct 8, 2009 10:30 AM:

" When I went to Montrose High School, 2 of my friends did the exact same thing. They wrote a hit list...they never planned to do anything with it. It was just a way of them to deal with the constant bullying they suffered. Sometimes these things arent serious. But I understand the procedure involving police. We hear too many times about kids kicking up guns and killing other kids. Better safe than sorry. "




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Barista wrote on Oct 8, 2009 6:29 AM:

" It doesn't sound so much as an over reaction as it is making an example. The article stated the list was made "In a sloppy attempt to be expelled" So instead of just expelling them and being done they are all letting every kid know that this is a serious matter, that in today's society that actions like this will not taken VERY seriously and the consequences will be severe.

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The world has changed a great deal and nothing is considered harmless. "




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concerned wrote on Oct 5, 2009 12:18 PM:

" Very well put MichaelT. I could not agree with you more. In my oppinion that is a very sound statement "




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Brian wrote on Oct 5, 2009 9:48 AM:

" Its Montrose
You obviously do not remember what happened last November at the High school. Well I do because I was there. No one thought that something like that would happen in Montrose either. The police are just doing job and covering all of their bases. So you don't say that "It is Montrose After All" "




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MichaelT wrote on Oct 5, 2009 6:32 AM:

" It might make more sense to have these kids meet with soldiers dealing with PTSD. Perhaps a peer to peer interaction with people who've seen, and are living with, the effects of violence would have a more lasting impact on these kids? The choice: open your minds, educate yourselves and the people around you, or build more prisons to house those who have no idea, and have never been taught, how to be productive, active members of society. "




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MichaelT wrote on Oct 5, 2009 6:25 AM:

" Kids are influenced by things that didn't exists when we were young. We all need to help one another understand change in the world. As engaged members of a complex society we owe it to our kids and ourselves to examine, discuss, and educate one another about what influences our young people and how to help them deal with those influences. Taking these kids out of school because they make a list sounds to me like giving them what they want. Unregulated time to develop whatever mischief they're up to. "




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MichaelT wrote on Oct 5, 2009 6:20 AM:

" Over-reaction or unproductive reaction? If you're worried about the lives your kids lead then get involved with their lives. The police do not build citizenship in our children or town, they enforce laws. Teaching respect and citizenship is the task of the schools, churches and families of the community. "




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concerned wrote on Oct 3, 2009 11:22 AM:

" As the article states, “He said he was not at liberty to discuss the details of the alleged threat”. That says to me there is more going on than just a list of names. I would rather have the Police over react than to have something escalate into another Columbine incident. The police are rarely in position or on time to stop a crime in progress. So if they have to stop it before it happens then to me that is better. "




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anti pc wrote on Oct 2, 2009 3:41 PM:

" Over reaction..... I'm sure they just had the list so they could invite them for milk and cookies. "




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Over reaction wrote on Oct 2, 2009 11:36 AM:

" DCK and Concerned.....

I'm not concerned about my kids, or grandkids being harmed at a government (public) school. They have all been homeschooled. Now I do worry about the high school dropouts that seem prevelant in Montrose. Maybe the police could spend more time observing them. "




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Its Montrose wrote on Oct 2, 2009 11:33 AM:

" Who knows? Unless the list specifically stated that these people were being targeted for harassment, violence, etc., maybe it was just a list of people being invited to a party. It is Montrose after all. "




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Mom in Montrose wrote on Oct 2, 2009 7:28 AM:

" Ummm overreaction? really? I'm betting you do not have a child in school.
Thank you Montrose High for reporting this and taking it seriously. It scares the crap out of me that my son will be in that High School next year! "




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concerned wrote on Oct 1, 2009 9:16 PM:

" when it comes to our children, there is no such thing as over-reaction. Do you want your child or grand-child hurt or killed because the school did nothing? Let's err on the side of safety of our children!!! "




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DCK wrote on Oct 1, 2009 7:32 PM:

" Over reaction:

The next to last sentence says the following:

"Last year, a student's throat was slashed as she entered the school;..."

I don't see the overreaction in making sure the same does not happen again. "




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Over reaction wrote on Oct 1, 2009 12:04 PM:

" A list of names? Where's the threat? Did the list say they wanted to harm these people? It sounds like an over-reaction to me. "




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