Police Increase Presence At Strongsville High Amid Rumors

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Police increased their presence at Strongsville High School this week amid rumors of "planned mischief" at the school.

In a social media post, police confirmed they are aware of the rumors and are investigating their source. As the investigation continues however, police will increase the number of officers patrolling around the high school.

"As our police department continues to investigate the source of this rumor, we are actively working with our schools and providing an increased police presence," Police Chief Mark Fender told Patch.

The increase police presence will continue for at least "the next few days."

In addition to more officers around the school, here are the other safety features being implemented at Strongsville High:

• Additional adult monitors stationed at entrances and exits around the school building.
• Students cannot freely roam hallways.
• Doors in the building will not be opened until after 6:50 a.m. and all doors will be watched by an adult.

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Here is the communication sent to Strongsville High parents from Principal Bill Wingler:

Good evening Strongsville students, parents, and community members,

There have been quite a few rumors that have spread through the school and now through our community. The worst of which are that student safety is being threatened.

These rumors are not based on any credible evidence and have been fueled by social media and verbal spreading of rumors. Here at SHS we take the safety of our students with the utmost importance and the disruptions to the learning environment are unacceptable. As a response: 1. There will be a strong police presence around and inside the building for the remainder of the week. 2. Additional adult monitors are being stationed at entrances/exits around the building throughout the day with walkie-talkies. 3.Students will not be free to roam our hallways. 4. The doors in the building will not be opened until after 6:50.A.M and all doors will be watched by an adult.

Some parents have reached out to me worried on whether or not to send their children to school the rest of this week. While every family has to make decisions that are best for them, I will be sending my own two daughters to the school this week as I truly believe that our school is safe and I personally refuse to allow these rumors to deprive my own kids of their right to a safe school.

Additionally students are being asked to put their backpacks in their lockers. This is a response to the fact that students are bringing in tools to remove items from the bathrooms. The backpack situation is temporary until we can get a handle on this tic tok issue and may be changed back quickly. Students who have a medical need will be allowed to carry their backpacks. I am aware that we have students with casts, crutches, or legitimate medical issues and we don't want them being punished. Girls are permitted to carry small purses and students may also carry their Chromebook cases.

Strongsville High School is an amazing school with over 1900 students who do amazing things. It is sad that the actions of a handful of students has created so much of a disruption to a learning environment that consistently displays excellence. This situation will be fixed and we will ensure that every person who is inside this building is safe and secure at all times. Any student caught making any threats, including virtual, to our school will not only be expelled but will be subject to police prosecution.

It's possible the rumors of mischief are connected to a TikTok trend encouraging users to film themselves stealing a motley collection of items, according to Fox 8.