Houston-area schools have faced a troubling wave of threats this week, prompting lockdowns, investigations, and increased security measures in several districts.
Following recent online posts suggesting potential violence at schools across Texas, districts such as Houston ISD have implemented new district-wide security measures.
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While many of the threats have proven to be non-credible, schools are not taking any chances, stepping up their efforts to safeguard students and staff amid the unsettling rise in online threats.
At Billy Baines Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, Needville ISD, and Sharpstown International School, students and staff were placed on lockdown following reports of potential threats. Though authorities found no credible danger in these cases, the incidents served as a reminder of the growing anxiety surrounding school safety. The Sharpstown threat on Friday, Sept. 13, also caused panic among parents with around 200 of them going to the school to either pick up their children or see for themselves that everything was OK.
Meanwhile, in Channelview, a student was arrested and charged with a felony after making an online threat against Channelview High School.
In another incident, Cleveland ISD investigated a shooting threat at Cleveland Middle School on September 9. Although the threat was ultimately determined to be unsubstantiated, one person was arrested as a precautionary measure. In the wake of the incident, Cleveland ISD increased the law enforcement presence at the school to ensure the ongoing safety of students and staff.
These threats are not limited to Texas. School shooting and violence threats have become a growing national concern, with districts across the country responding in various ways.
Nationwide school threat surge
Some schools have canceled events, while others, like Joliet Public Schools District 86 in suburban Chicago, have moved to e-learning as a precaution.
The Joliet district, along with nearby Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C, made the switch following violent threats circulating on social media. The decision to move to e-learning was made in consultation with law enforcement after no credible evidence of danger was found. Nonetheless, districts are taking these threats seriously and implementing extra security precautions, including increased police presence on campuses and the cancellation of all athletic events.
A case in Boston highlighted the lengths to which districts are going to ensure safety. At Waltham’s McDevitt Middle School, threats made over Snapchat led to an increased police presence and a temporary ban on backpacks.
Though no weapons were found during a search of the school, the district is working with local and federal authorities to identify the individual responsible for the threats. The school has implemented new safety protocols, including searching students’ belongings upon entry.
In Florida, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is taking a hardline approach to school threats, pushing for maximum penalties for those involved. After threats led to multiple lockdowns and arrests, Sheriff Chitwood announced that he would hold both students and parents accountable by publicly shaming offenders and posting their photos on social media.
The sheriff has emphasized that even threats made as jokes will be met with serious consequences. On a single Friday, Chitwood’s department responded to 54 threats, arresting two middle school students who now face felony charges.
Study highlights rise in school threats
The rise in school threats has also spurred national dialogue about how best to handle the situation. A study published in 2023 by the American Psychological Association’s Journal of Threat Assessment and Management analyzed 1,000 school threats made between 2018 and 2022.
The study found that in 40% of cases, it was unclear whether the threats were real or jokes. While many threats turned out to be hoaxes, the consequences were real: 63.7% of cases resulted in arrests, with most individuals facing felony charges.
In Houston and across the nation, schools are working closely with law enforcement to protect students and maintain secure learning environments. As security measures continue to be reinforced, authorities are urging parents, students, and staff to remain vigilant. School officials are also encouraging open communication between families and law enforcement to quickly address any potential threats.