Police Chief addresses cyber threats; students return to classroom

Students returned to Whitefish classrooms Tuesday after cyber threats made to schools across Flathead Valley canceled three days of classes and scheduled events.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial assured parents Monday evening that there is no real threat to Whitefish students, and that the threats were part of an extortion ploy by hackers located in a different country with no ties to the town.

“It was a very sophisticated ruse to let people know how this group, who's from a foreign country, could create terror in the minds of the people throughout the United States,” he said. “We now believe — and I'm 100 percent confident — that there is no threat to the children.”

About 250 concerned parents and citizens gathered in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center Monday to get an update from the Whitefish Police Department and Whitefish School District Administrators.

The threats began Wednesday evening after the Columbia Falls School District received threatening emails and text messages and closed school for Thursday after contacting the Flathead Valley Sheriff's Office.

Whitefish and Kalispell Schools also received threats and canceled school as well. By Thursday morning more than 30 schools across the county kept students home.

The Sheriff's Office, local police departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other groups have been working together to identify the person behind the threats. Dial said law enforcement made contact with a suspect on Thursday and have identified him and his location.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said that the suspect also “hacked” the Columbia Falls district network and began contacting a small group of parents with threats.

On Monday the Sheriff's Office posted an edited version of a 14-page ransom letter sent by the group making the threats, requesting Columbia Falls schools pay to keep sensitive school records and information from being leaked to the public.

In the Facebook post containing the edited letter, Curry emphasized the state of safety for students in the Valley.

“We fully understand the concern and fear that has resulted from this cyber-attack, and want the community to know that all the valley law enforcement agency heads feel there is no threat to the physical safety of our children,” he wrote.

Whitefish School District staff returned on Monday to discuss the situation with law enforcement and prepared to address questions the students may have regarding the threats when the returned on Wednesday.

The threats impacted operation of business for city buildings as well.

Whitefish City Hall kept its doors locked, but was still open for business last week.

“We ask that you come through the front main entrance and knock for assistance,” City Manager Adam Hammatt said in an email. “So far this is working well and people coming in have been very understanding considering the circumstances. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope it doesn't need to last long.”

The Whitefish Community Library was closed through Saturday. In a post on its Facebook page, the library said because of the configuration of the foyer and small number of staff it was forced to close completely rather than locking its doors but remaining open as was done at City Hall.

“We appreciate the kind and caring way in which our community has responded to this dilemma,” the library said.

During the community meeting Monday, officials answered questions about safety concerns and the nature of the threats.

Along with Dial, Whitefish Schools Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt and Assistant Police Chief Bridger Kelch fielded questions from a nearly full Performing Arts Center.

“Most of you know that last Wednesday we had a cyber-attack here, and basically the cyber-attack was a group of text and emails indicating that unknown subjects were going to harm our children,” Dial explained. “We didn't know what to expect at first, so rather than throw caution to the wind we were very cautious and we talked with the schools, all of law enforcement through the valley, all the school districts — and we decided the best stance to take was to close the schools until we could get a handle on this.”

Dial said investigators also got help from various retired professionals who live in Whitefish and the Valley.

During the question and answer time, concerned parents and community members asked about safety in the schools and how the situation was handled by law enforcement.

Resident Rod Garcia showed concern over the current safety measures to prevent a physical threat in Whitefish schools.

Likewise, he said it's hard for him to vote on the bond issue for a new $26.5 million Muldown Elementary School without being reassured that the best safety measures are being taken.

“I just received my ballot in the mail for the mill levy and I'm wanting to know what type of actual, physical, hard-line security measures are incorporated into the architecture of the school ... I have less concern for somebody of British origin hiding out in Slovenia somewhere with his computer in his mother's basement than I do with some crazed nut case walking in the front door at 11 o'clock and shooting up the school where my kids go,” he said.

Davis Schmidt answered by saying she understands the feelings of discomfort parents were feeling, but assured the crowd the schools are doing everything they can to keep children safe.

Garcia was not satisfied with her answer.

“There is no physical security measures put into our schools,” he said. “I find it disingenuous that you say you're doing everything in your power.”

There's a line between staying safe and creating an environment that is not conducive to learning at all, Davis Schmidt countered.

“So the only thing we could do if we were truly doing everything in our power would be to create a blockaded, jail-type situation that would not create a welcoming environment. I personally am not comfortable with that,” she said. “Our schools are welcoming places for our families and students, and that's what they need to be. Yes, we want to keep our students safe ... but when it comes to learning for our students, I also don't believe that we need to create an environment that makes our kids anxious all the time, that they should be scared of the world they live in all the time.”

“I'm not asking for a magic bullet,” Garcia said. “The fact of the matter is I would like to at least have our staff and our children have a fighting chance.”

One member of the public also asked why more school faculty did not carry firearms, a comment met with a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Dial dismissed the question, saying the meeting was not the time or place to get political.

Karen Farr VanAlstin applauded Whitefish Police for how they dealt with a new and unexpected threat.

“The way they handled this situation was excellent, in my opinion,” she said. “This is a new thing, not just for our kids but for [law enforcement] as well. I have to thank you guys for doing what you've done. This city has not experienced anything like this.”

School continues as usual this week, though officers will be present in Whitefish schools through the week and until it no longer seems necessary, Dial said.

Whitefish High School's homecoming, which was cut short by the threats last week, will be rescheduled to Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.

Homecoming court will be presented at the Oct. 6 football game at halftime, where the king and queen will be named.

Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown and Activities Director Aric Harris are working to reschedule the games canceled last week as a result of the threats.