Officials: Number of "terroristic" threats against schools growing

Instances of threats involving gun-violence and bombs against schools — by telephone or via social media — is growing in Mississippi and across the country, and officials say there are serious consequences for such actions.

“We’re in a time when there are a lot of copycat incidents because people see schools being closed whenever a threat is received,” Franklin County Superintendent of Education Chris Kent said.

“There’s really no rhyme or reason to what is being seen in large school systems and small ones with these threats, but it can be disruptive, time consuming and dangerous to say the least.”

Kent said Franklin County has protocols to deal with a wide range of threats, but the specifics of those plans are not made available to the public.

“The reason we spend a considerable amount of time making these plans and keeping them under wraps is to insure the safety of every child and employee in the district,” he continued.
The superintendent confirmed Franklin County Schools had recently been the target of what was described as a “soft threat,” and local law enforcement and Homeland Security officials played an active role in addressing the situation.

“Because of our established safety procedures, we were able to carry on with our school day with no disruptions of any kind,” Kent said.

“We were fortunate that no one was ever in any danger, and the scope of the threat was minimal and never required evacuations or campus closures. We appreciate everyone who helped us deal with this situation.”

Kent and Franklin County Sheriff Tom Tindle confirmed a local juvenile, who is a Franklin County School District student, was taken in for questioning and later into custody in connection with the alleged threat.

The identity of the individual cannot be made public due to age considerations in light of the law with any charges to be handled through youth court.

“There are some pretty serious legal consequences for making a threat against a school or other public entity,” Kent continued.

“My office will work to prosecute anyone who threatens our school children or employees to the fullest extent of the law — without exception.”

Tindle said no fewer than 30 threats have been made against schools across the Magnolia State — with some of the most recent incidents happening in Adams and Jefferson Davis counties in South Mississippi.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the threats are made because someone doesn’t want to go to school,” the sheriff noted.

“However, we have to look at all threats as serious, especially in light of the acts of violence that have been seen in other parts of the country.”

Officials said one way to battle the rising tide of threats is for everyone in school and commuity settings to adopt the concept of “see something-say something” — an initiative that grew out of the post-Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America by Islamic extremists in 2001.

The premise is for students, school personnel and area residents who hear of or witness suspicious activity that could jeopardize campus safety to report what they know to school resource officers, administrators or local law enforcement.