TikTok Threat Leads To Police Presence At Brookfield Schools

BROOKFIELD, CT — All four Brookfield public schools have an increased police presence today in response to a trend on social media app TikTok encouraging school violence nationwide on Dec. 17.

Superintendent John W. Barile said there has been no mention of Brookfield schools in the posts, and said the police presence is a cautionary measure to "promote a sense of student, parents and staff safety."

"Should we be made aware of a credible threat, you will be notified immediately," Barile wrote in a letter to parents Thursday morning.

Law enforcement determined there is "no specific threat" to any Brookfield school after assessing the threat, Barile said.

Schools across Connecticut and nationwide are either increasing security or closing entirely, though the Connecticut Intelligence Center has not yet identified any specific or credible threats to any schools within the state.

Read more: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has CT Police, Schools On High Alert

"These posts and rumors started on the social media platform TikTok and have been circulating for at least several days across the country, making their way onto additional social media platforms," state police said. "Many law enforcement agencies around the country have received tips related to these rumors."

It's possible the threats originated from a TikTok challenge to skip school on Friday, December 17, 2021, state police said, but morphed into a school violence challenge.

Barile encouraged parents to speak to their children about social media and "the importance of informing an adult when they witness something inappropriate and/or dangerous."