The April 21 article in the Courier about the student who wore a gas mask in Guilford High School was to me very disturbing [“Report of Threat at High School Remains Uncorroborated”]. The comments by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Freeman and Chief of Police Butch Hyatt seemed to be extremely defensive. They both seemed to key on what the student allegedly said and that what he said could not be corroborated.

To me what is key is that the freshman boy was able to wear a gas mask on campus. The picture of the student wearing the mask was gruesome and terrifying enough. Threat? Yes, I would say wearing a gas mask in a classroom, study hall, or cafeteria projected a threatening behavior.

As to why students did not come forward? Based on what I see here in Guilford and across our country, they might be afraid of being called racist. Where has common sense gone?

Peter Connal

Guilford