Children across Springfieldunobet, Ohio, arrived at school Tuesday morning to the sight of state troopers, deployed by the governor after a wave of bomb scares rattled the community.

Gov. Mike DeWine sent the state officers to the city to reassure the community that the schools were safe and to avoid the evacuations of threatened schools that have disrupted learning over the last week.

The threats began last week after Donald J. Trump mentioned Springfield during the presidential debate, repeating a baseless rumor that Haitian immigrants in the city were abducting and eating household pets.

Since then, 34 bomb threats have targeted city schools, most recently on Tuesday when a threat was directed at the high school, a spokeswoman said. But in contrast to Monday, when two elementary schools were evacuated because of threats, the high school was not evacuated.

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The threats have shaken the city and disrupted school for thousands of students. The deployment of 36 troopers to the city was intended to allay anxieties and ensure that students could focus on learning. The troopers were stationed at the 17 public schools and at a school district transportation depot.

At Snowhill Elementary, Trooper Andrew Sliwoski was posted outside the building. “We are happy to be here to help,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, though, that we have to be here.”

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