BRUNSWICK

A 12-year-old girl has been charged with terrorizing by Brunswick police, after she allegedly pulled a fire alarm at Brunswick Junior High School Tuesday morning as state and local primary elections were taking place in the school’s gymnasium.

The alarm disrupted both the school day and the election, as students, school personnel, poll workers and voters were forced to evacuate.

Brunswick police responded to the alarm triggered at 9:51 a.m., according to Deputy Police Chief Marc Hagan.

Everyone was allowed to return 15-20 minutes later.

According to Hagan, some students gave up the identity of the student who allegedly pulled the alarm. She was brought to the police station by her parents and issued a summons, and released back to the custody of her parents, Hagan said.

Under the law, terrorizing can be defined, in part by causing the evacuation of a building or communicating a threat that leads to the evacuation of a building. The terrorizing charge is considered a Class C felony.

The girl is scheduled to appear Aug. 13 in West Bath District Court.

Town Clerk Fran Smith said it took about 20 minutes for voting to resume after the alarm was pulled. The alarm occurred during a slow period of voting, Smith said.

Eight residents were in the middle of voting and had their ballots taken by officials as they were evacuated. All were able to fill out new ballots and vote Tuesday.

Hours of the polls could not be extended, despite the interruption, because polls must close by 8 p.m. in accordance with state law, said Smith.

Smith praised actions by school staff — especially janitorial staff — and Brunswick firefighters.

“This has never happened before, and I hope it never happens again,” said Smith.

This is the first time a student has pulled a fire alarm in the school in at least five years, according to Principal Walter Wallace. He acknowledged the disruption in the school day and in the primary, as well as the anxiety an unscheduled alarm causes.

Wallace noted that the school department did not ask police to charge the student, and declined to give an opinion on the police department’s decision to charge the student with a felony. Wallace said he cannot comment on what disciplinary action was taken by the school.

“You’re dealing with young people who make mistakes,” Wallace said. “It is my hope the student understands the seriousness of her actions and learns from it.”

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com