Crime & Safety
Threatening Text Messages Investigated In Jenkintown
Jenkintown Police said the text messages against several students were the result of a previous unresolved disagreement.
JENKINTOWN, PA —Jenkintown Police are investigating reports of threatening text messages toward specific students from Jenkintown.
Jenkintown Police received a report regarding text messages between several students and a juvenile from outside of Jenkintown Borough.
Police said the messages were threatening in nature toward the specific students from Jenkintown.
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During the exchange of messages, a discussion regarding attendance at the GLOW Dance party was interjected. No specific threat to the dance was mentioned, police said.
The Jenkintown Police Department has investigated the incident and said there were no credible threats to the GLOW Dance.
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Police said the juveniles involved were identified, and their parents are fully cooperating.
Police said the message exchange was related to an unresolved disagreement or conflict from the past.
Accountability for their actions is already in effect as part of that cooperation with the Police Department.
Police said that these types of behaviors are occurring between juveniles on text messaging, social media, and other forms of communication more frequently.
"Most times, the incidents involve immaturity and lack of understanding for the language and written communication that is transmitted, and on how it is received or processed upon receipt. Juveniles are struggling to interact socially because of these communication struggles and interpretations of language used via these technological mediums," police said. "We suggest you take this time to have open conversations with your children to discuss the impact of language and how we communicate on social media and through text messages."
The School District and the Police Department will continue to work together to address these issues promptly and will hold parties accountable for any behaviors that are criminal and/or violations of the School District Code of Conduct.
Anyone with questions should contact Police Chief Tom Scott at tscott@jenkintownpd.org or 215-884-1202 ext. 101.
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