No Credible Threat To Watsonville Schools Amid Trend: Officials

WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville school officials and police are monitoring a nationwide social media trend that threatened violence at schools Friday, but are not aware of any threats made to local schools.

Police will continue to monitor the trend and work closely with school officials, said Michelle Pulido, Watsonville Police Deparmtent spokesperson. If police have reason to believe they need to ramp up presence at local schools, additional officers will be there, she said.

The trend originated on video-sharing app TikTok, which is particularly popular among youth. An image containing an anonymous, vague threat of gun violence was widely circulated. Various iterations of the post have apparently been shared.

"The TikTok Challenge appears to have been intended for students to try to get out of school a day early, but has turned into students creating false threats," said Pajaro Valley Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Kristen Shouse and Student Services Coordinator Greg Fry in a letter. "We want to reinforce that these are not jokes, and we take all threats seriously."

Parents who see or hear of any information indicating a threat to a local school are asked to contact police at 831-471-1151.

"We ask that parents and guardians speak with their students about using social media platforms appropriately," school administrators wrote. "Please take this opportunity to have an honest and open conversation with your student about the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat."