In the aftermath of the horrific school shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, we continue to send our children to school; an environment where students and staff should feel safe. Nonetheless, as is the case after many of these tragic events, the spread of copycat threats on Snapchat and other social media outlets add to the anxiety. Though most appear to be hoaxes, school administrators and police departments remain on high alert for copycat threats and students or others who are motivated to threaten or engage in similar behavior.
During the past week our department, and police departments throughout the country, investigated numerous potential threats, most posted by students on social media, prompting temporary lockdowns and in some school districts cancellation of classes and postponed events. Fortunately, in the incidents investigated here in the township by our department, the investigations determined that no credible threats existed. There are many reasons why students or others post these threats; most are hoaxes. We don’t treat them as hoaxes or pranks. The act of making a threat is against the law, whether it is real or not, and there are serious legal consequences.
We value the use of social media. If you or your student see or hear anything that could cause harm to students or staff, please report it immediately to school officials and contact police. We ask that students and parents refrain from sharing or reposting information, pictures, or video on social media without any verification regarding its accuracy. It is imperative that the use of social media does not create mass hysteria by posting inaccurate information, rumors, or unverified information, photos or video.
Parents, please talk to your children about the appropriate use of social media, and monitor their social media accounts. Have conversations at home regarding safety at school and other locations. We need to continue to live the way we live, but at the same time be vigilant about school safety and immediately report any suspicious activity in or around our school buildings. As a precautionary measure, and to ease some of the anxiety in the wake of recent events, our department has increased patrols around schools in the township, and we continue to work together as a community with school police and officials to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone.
During the past week our department, and police departments throughout the country, investigated numerous potential threats, most posted by students on social media, prompting temporary lockdowns and in some school districts cancellation of classes and postponed events. Fortunately, in the incidents investigated here in the township by our department, the investigations determined that no credible threats existed. There are many reasons why students or others post these threats; most are hoaxes. We don’t treat them as hoaxes or pranks. The act of making a threat is against the law, whether it is real or not, and there are serious legal consequences.
We value the use of social media. If you or your student see or hear anything that could cause harm to students or staff, please report it immediately to school officials and contact police. We ask that students and parents refrain from sharing or reposting information, pictures, or video on social media without any verification regarding its accuracy. It is imperative that the use of social media does not create mass hysteria by posting inaccurate information, rumors, or unverified information, photos or video.
Parents, please talk to your children about the appropriate use of social media, and monitor their social media accounts. Have conversations at home regarding safety at school and other locations. We need to continue to live the way we live, but at the same time be vigilant about school safety and immediately report any suspicious activity in or around our school buildings. As a precautionary measure, and to ease some of the anxiety in the wake of recent events, our department has increased patrols around schools in the township, and we continue to work together as a community with school police and officials to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone.
