LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Update, 12/17: Several schools throughout Central Pa. have released statements in response to these alleged TikTok threats.
Superintendent Rob Schultz of Lower Dauphin School District said in a message to Lower Dauphin families that while the district does not believe the threat to be credible, it is closely monitoring the situation.
Conestoga Valley School District echoed this sentiment and said that "the misuse of social media causes unnecessary fear, a waste of valuable resources, and shows a disregard for others."
York Suburban School District increased their police presence at all schools in the district and said that while there is no evidence of threats to the district's buildings, students, or staff, school officials are also monitoring the situation.
All three of the above school districts also said in their statements that they investigated happenings within their areas that they believed could be in connection to the TikTok threats.
Schultz said in the statement that the district informed the Hummelstown Borough Police Department, who began an investigation after being made aware of the situation.
Conestoga Valley officials said in their statement that they were made aware of "vague, unfounded, threatening language" was directed at the middle school from an unknown Snapchat account, but that they believe the threat to not be credible.
York Suburban officials said that a student's piece of interpretative artwork decrying school shootings was investigated, but that threat was determined to not be credible as well.
Chambersburg Area School District, East Pennsboro Area School District, West Shore School District, and Cornwall-Lebanon School District all released statements as well, saying that officials believe the threats to not be credible. All four districts, however, urged the public to always be on alert, and to avoid sharing certain things on social media.
The Suquehanna Regional Police Department (SRPD) also responded to these threats saying that they've been working closely with the Donegal School District to address the situation.
"In regards to these social media posts, the SRPD has not developed actionable evidence of a direct threat, assault, or other crime," the statement read. "We have identified no current or future threat to the safety of our citizens or students."
The Pennsylvania State Police have released the following statement regarding these threats:
The Pa. Office of Attorney General also addressed these threats, and encouraged students to use the "Safe2Say Something Pa.” app to submit any information or threats they come across in regards to violence at schools.
The best way for students to report tips is one of three ways:
- By downloading the “Safe2Say Something Pa.” app from the app store on a smart phone or device.
- By visiting this link.
- By contacting the 24/7 Crisis Center hotline: 1-844-SAF2SAY (723-2729).
Previously:
Educators have announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country Friday. However, officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible.
The threats had many educators on edge, as they circulated in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan, which has been followed by copycat threats to schools around the country.
TikTok said it was working with law enforcement to investigate.
The posts follow a disturbing trend that has had students acting out in response to social media challenges.
The Susquehanna Regional Police Department released a statement on Thursday, saying they are investigating several local social media threats, similar to the ones that have been seen nationwide.
Susquehanna Regional Police are investigating several threatening Snapchat messages.
According to police, the messages indicate that there are plans to "shoot up a school" and another message said, "dongal be ready tmr."
Police say the threats are being taken seriously, but "have no specificity to what particular school they're coming from."
Police add parents, students, and the community should always report threats to their local law enforcement so they can investigate these types of incidents in the early stages.
Donegal School District officials closed schools on Thursday for in-person learning after meeting with police, adding that the "SRPD has had a significant presence at the schools in each location."
Anyone with information about these threats is asked to contact SRO Officer Ney via email at Scott.Ney@donegalsd.org, or call 717-653-1871 ext. # 51524.
