SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was in Springfield on Monday as the city faces bomb threats and public safety concerns stemming from a nationwide debate on immigration.
Officials in Springfield have tried to tamp down misinformation about Haitian immigrants living in the city after claims surfaced that they were eating neighborhood pets. City leaders shared that there have been no credible or detailed reports of any pets being abducted or eaten.
The claims were amplified by former President Donald Trump during last week’s debate.
The falsehoods about Springfield's Haitian immigrants were spread online by Trump's running mate, JD Vance, on the eve of Tuesday's debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Vance was asked in an interview whether he knew the claims were false.
“If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that’s what I’m going to do," Vance said, quickly clarifying that he "created the focus that allowed the media to talk about this story and the suffering caused by policies.”
RELATED: Vance doesn't back away from false claims about migrants in Ohio even amid threats to the community
State leaders are trying to help address some of the real challenges facing the city.
DeWine said in a press conference last week that he would add more law enforcement and health care resources to an aid package the state has already provided to Springfield.
“There’s a lot of garbage on the internet and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true," DeWine said. "What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work."
Roughly 15,000 immigrants have arrived in the past few years in the city of about 60,000.
While Springfield has gained national attention, it has also faced several bomb threats on public buildings and schools.
Last week, the city received bomb threats to City Hall, several schools, two hospitals, a driver’s exam station and an Ohio License Bureau. Even more threats were reported on Monday. All of the locations were cleared by local law enforcement and the threats were all deemed not credible.
While in Springfield on Monday, DeWine met with local business owners who employ Haitians. There was also a public safety meeting between local law enforcement and state authorities.
DeWine said that in total, there have been 33 separate bomb threats. All were deemed a hoax, he added.
To help with peace of mind as the city deals with an influx of threats, DeWine said more law enforcement will be stationed across the city.
“We want to make sure as school continues this week in Springfield that parents have confidence that the school is, in fact, safe. To do that… we are taking 36 members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol field force,” DeWine said.
Those troopers will be in Springfield by early Tuesday, if not sooner, according to DeWine.
Troopers will go to Springfield’s schools early in the morning and sweep the buildings every day. DeWine said they will remain there during school, focusing on the perimeter and will remain visible.
“We cannot let the bad guys win. Our schools must remain open, they will remain open,” he said.