HCPSS Leaders Urge Parents, Students To Report Threats Of Violence Toward Schools

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As threats of violence against schools circulate across social media platforms around the country, Howard County Public School System leaders reassured the community and school families that all threats lodged in Howard County are taken seriously.

So far, those threats have been found to not be credible. However, a Harford County student has been arrested and charged in connection to a threat of violence made against an unspecified school Wednesday in Harford County. Harford County sheriff's deputies were made aware of a claim made by a student early on Sept. 25 that was circulating on Snapchat. The threat involved “shooting up the school, this is a threat,” according to the sheriff's office. It didn't specify which school, Patch reported.

"The Howard County Public School System takes all threats seriously and responds to any threat with the appropriate level of urgency. Additionally, HCPSS is in regular, close contact with the Howard County Police Department, as well as the Maryland Center for School Safety," school leaders stated Wednesday.

HCPSS school leaders asked that if a parent, guardian or a student sees any threat on social media to report it immediately to school officials and the social media platform. Then do not share that post with anyone else, which can incite panic and fear, officials said.

"HCPSS is seeing some copycat behaviors from our students. Parents and guardians are encouraged to model healthy and appropriate use of social media and closely monitor your child’s social media accounts. Talk with your children about problematic use of technology and stress the importance and consequences of posting/sharing any threatening messages. Remind your children that HCPSS does not tolerate threats of any kind and will pursue disciplinary actions and legal consequences, as appropriate," the school stated.