Local school districts respond to anonymous threat

Schools throughout the Union’s coverage area announced Thursday evening that they had learned of a nationwide anonymous threat against schools on Friday, and that they were staying in close contact with law enforcement.

The threats, shared on various social media outlets such as TikTok, warned about the possibility of nationwide shootings or bomb threats on Friday, Dec. 17.

“We learned about the TikTok video yesterday, and we immediately contacted our local law enforcement, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, to see if there was any evidence or information that would lead believe if there was any credible threat to the schools in Mt. Pleasant,” said John Henriksen, Superintendent of the Mt. Pleasant Community School District. “At this time, MPPD has not acquired any evidence that would deem these threats as credible.”

Officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to the school district buildings throughout the day. There was a requested increase of patrols at the schools for the day.

“We placed the officers there as an abundance of caution,” stated Henriksen.

Fairfield and Washington school districts released statements making the same points as Henriksen, that they had not discovered any evidence to suggest the threats were credible.

“We have partnered with local law enforcement to vigilantly investigate whether there are any local connections to these social media posts,” read a statement from the Washington Community School District. “At this time, law enforcement has not acquired any evidence that would deem these threats as credible in our area. Out of an abundance of caution, our schools will be in continual contact with law enforcement throughout the day on Friday. We will also have a police presence at our buildings on Friday.

Fairfield Superintendent Laurie Noll said her district did not call for extra officers to be in school buildings Friday.

“We have been closely monitoring [the situation] and have been in communication with law enforcement,” Noll said. “The police officers walk throughout our buildings, and are always welcome.”

The local school districts urged parents to take this opportunity to “talk with your students about the appropriate use of social media, and the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat. Encourage your students to speak with you or an adult at school if they see or hear something so immediate action can be taken. In addition, if anyone in our community sees something suspicious, please report it to the school immediately or call local law enforcement.”