07:00 PM PST on Wednesday, January 14, 2004

By ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

SALEM -- A bomb threat at a Salem-Keizer school has staff, students and parents on alert.

The principal of Hoover Elementary School sent a letter home to parents detailing what was described as a “disturbing” phone call from a person who claims the school will be bombed on Thursday.

Hoover Elementary School in Salem, Oregon. (School photo)

The call was received on Jan. 5 and the caller claimed the school would be bombed ten days later.

“Safety is a key priority at Hoover Elementary School. We have emergency procedures to ensure that all of our students and staff remain safe and secure during any serious event,” principal Stephen Larson wrote in the letter to parents.

School officials notified police who said the incident is under investigation. Officers think they have identified the suspect who made the threat and don't believe this person would really carry it out.

But school officials were taking no chances. As a precaution, extra security officers are at the school for added protection, Larson said.

Hoover Elementary is located at 1104 Savage Rd. NE in Salem. About 500 students from kidnergarten through fifth grade attend the school.